Construction of California High-Speed Rail

The Fresno River Viaduct under construction in 2017

The construction of the California High-Speed Rail system is an undertaking by the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The project is expected to span about 800 miles (1,300 km) and will be completed in two phases:

• Phase 1 (totaling about 500 miles (800 km)) runs from the metropolitan area of the San Francisco Bay Area in northern California to the metropolitan area of Greater Los Angeles in southern California. It has been partially funded and is under construction mainly in the San Joaquin Valley since 2015, as well as in "bookend" investments in the two metropolitan areas, and will take an as-yet unknown number of years to complete.
• Phase 2 is a future extension of the system north to Sacramento, and south through the Inland Empire to San Diego.

Overview of project segments

Due to the project being only partially funded, the Authority is completing the environmental clearance of Phase 1 and focusing construction activity on the "Initial Operating Segment (IOS)" in the Central Valley. The IOS is intended to be a self-contained and financially self-sustaining high-speed rail system, improving on and partially replacing the existing Amtrak San Joaquins service. As funding becomes available, the Authority plans to extend the system to San Francisco in the northwest, and subsequently southwards to Los Angeles and Anaheim.

The major steps in delivering operational segments of high-speed rail can be characterized as:

1. Environmental clearance
2. Design and civil construction
3. Installation of track and systems
4. Static and dynamic testing

The following table provides an overview of these steps in each section of the entire project:

	Region	Section Start — Section End	Environmental Clearance Status	Funding Status	Type	Civil Construction Status	Track and Systems Status	Notes
Phase 1	Northern California	San Francisco — San Jose	Cleared	Partially funded (Caltrain electrification)	Shared corridor with Caltrain	n/a	Electrified Caltrain service: since September 2024	The Authority contributes funding for Caltrain Electrification. Interim San Francisco terminus will be 4th and King station, with extension to the Salesforce Transit Center as part of the independent Downtown Rail Extension (now known as The Portal) project.
		San Jose — Gilroy	Cleared	Currently unfunded	Partially shared corridor with Caltrain
		Gilroy — Merced	Cleared	Currently unfunded	High-speed ROW			Requires tunneling under the Pacheco Pass
	Initial Operating Segment (IOS)	Merced — Madera	Cleared	Design funded, construction unfunded	High-speed ROW			30% design complete, next advancing on 100% design and land acquisition
		Madera — South of Fresno (CP1)	Cleared	Fully funded	High-speed ROW	Active construction, expected completion: Nov 2026
		South of Fresno — Tulare/Kern border (CP2-3)	Cleared	Fully funded	High-speed ROW	Active construction, expected completion: 2026
		Tulare/Kern border — Poplar Avenue (CP4)	Cleared	Fully funded	High-speed ROW	Active construction, expected completion: April 2024		All structures and guideway complete except a 400 ft section due to outstanding utility relocation
		Poplar Avenue — Bakersfield	Cleared	Design funded, construction partially funded	High-speed ROW			Currently advancing to 30% design, North Bakersfield to Bakersfield station currently unfunded
	Southern California	Bakersfield — Palmdale	Cleared	Currently unfunded	High-speed ROW
		Palmdale — Burbank	Cleared	Currently unfunded	High-speed ROW
		Burbank — Los Angeles Union Station	Cleared	Currently unfunded	Shared corridor with Metrolink, Amtrak, and Union Pacific
		Los Angeles Union Station — Anaheim	Awaiting clearance	Currently unfunded	—
Phase 2	Northern California	Sacramento — Merced		Currently unfunded	—
	Southern California	Los Angeles Union Station — San Diego		Currently unfunded	—

Current construction status

A December 2023 status summary presentation, which contains extensive status information as well as information about improved management procedures, was prepared for the December 6, 2023 Board Meeting.

In the Central Valley major construction projects are underway. Three separate construction packages total 119 miles of guideway and 93 structures. As of August 2023, 53 miles of guideway are complete, 43 structures are complete, and 32 are underway.

• Construction Package 1 (CP 1) comprises 32 miles (51 km) from Avenue 17 north of Madera to East American Avenue south of Fresno. It includes 12 grade separations, two viaducts, one tunnel, a major river crossing over the San Joaquin River, and the realignment of State Route 99. The contractor is the joint venture of Tutor-Perini/Zachry/Parsons. The design-build contract was signed August 16, 2013. CP 1 is anticipated to be substantially completed in 2026. As of end of October 2023: of 33 structures, by the end of 2023 10 will be underway, and only 15 will remain to be completed; of 32 miles of guideway, 2 miles are completed, 18 are underway, and 12 miles remain; and of 992 utility relocations, 564 have been completed, 250 are in progress, and 178 remain.
• Construction Package 2-3 (CP 2-3) comprises 65 miles (105 km) from East American Avenue south of Fresno to 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the Tulare / Kern County border. It includes approximately 36 grade separations, viaducts, underpasses, and overpasses. The contractor is the joint venture of Dragados USA/Flatiron Construction. The design-build contract was signed June 10, 2015. CP 2-3 is anticipated to be substantially completed in 2026. As of end of October 2023: of 49 structures, by the end of 2023, 16 are complete, 23 will be underway, and only 10 will remain to be completed; of 65 miles of guideway, 33 miles are completed, 16 are underway, and 16 miles remain; and of 701 utility relocations, 493 have been completed, 66 are in progress, and 142 remain.
• Construction Package 4 (CP 4) comprises 22 miles (35 km) adjoining the end of CP 2-3 to the intersection of Poplar / Madera Avenue northwest of Shafter. It includes at-grade embankments, retained-fill over-crossings, viaducts, aerial sections of the high-speed rail alignment, and the relocation of four miles of existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks. The contractor is California Rail Builders, a joint venture of Ferrovial-Agroman West, LLC and Griffith Company. The design-build contract was signed February 29, 2016. CP4 is anticipated to be substantially completed by the end of 2023. As of December 6, 2023 only 400 ft. of guideway remain to be completed.

Per the December 6, 2023 Board Memo: Construction Update:

"Currently, 98% (2,258) of parcels have now been delivered to the design-builder, and the remaining parcels now stands at just over 2% (37).

"CP 1: The Revised Baseline Schedule has been accepted, and all major commercial issues previously reported have now been resolved. The primary risks have been identified and mitigated; however, risks remain that include delays with third-party approvals and design approval.

"CP 2-3: The primary risk areas are ROW acquisitions for utility relocations, delays with third-party design reviews and approvals, and obtaining an agreement from DFJV on the Revised Baseline Schedule. The Authority is proactively managing these risks and working collaboratively with the respective parties to advance a resolution.

"CP 4: All structures are now complete, including the delivery of all right-of-way parcels. There is only 400 feet of guideway that remains in progress due to outstanding land conveyance issues with Canal 9-22. Mitigation efforts include the evaluation of various options to identify a path forward and working closely with the North Kern Water Storage District (NKWSD) to reach a mutual agreement to advance the completion of work in this area."

Per the 2023 Project Status Report (released Mar. 1, 2023):

• CP1 Seven of eight major commercial issues noted in 2022 Business Plan have resolved, and only Church Avenue remains.
• CP2-3 Three of four major commercial issues noted in 2022 Business Plan have been resolved, and the last one (Cross Creek) is in arbitration.
• CP4 The one major commercial issue noted in the 2022 Business Plan has been resolved.
• Finishing the 119-mile Construction Packages:
  • "The Authority now has over 96% of right-of-way in hand, has completed design of the 119-mile HSR civil infrastructure, and has completed 53% of utility relocations, with another 19% underway. The new estimates for this existing construction work represent updates from major final design elements being incorporated into construction contracts via change orders and updates due to global inflation and new construction schedules – due in part to COVID-19. To complete current civil contracts and related work, $2.2 billion is added to the 2022 Business Plan estimate."
• New Contracts/Work to Complete Merced to Bakersfield:
  • "The Authority is also looking towards new procurements for civil construction to Merced and Bakersfield, the track and systems work, stations, and finally trainsets. We are already approaching the extensions differently by advancing design to the configuration-level, which is generally about 30 percent, and will procure right-of-way in advance of construction work."
• Beginning planning work for IOS stations.
• Extensions of the line from the above central section to Bakersfield and Merced, totaling 52 additional miles (84 km), are also progressing through advanced design work, right-of-way mapping, and identification of utility relocation work. Construction contracts have not yet been let.
  • Merced to Madera extension (34 miles). Segment begins at R Street in Downtown Merced and concludes at Avenue 19 in Madera.
  • Shafter to Bakersfield (19 miles). Segment begins at southern limit of CP 4 at Poplar Avenue in Shafter and ends at the Bakersfield station at F Street.
• The Heavy Maintenance Facility (HMF) is proceeding through the planning and approval process.
• Cost updates for new contracts are:

Revised cost update for 119 mile segment civil construction per 2023 Project Update Report of $2.2 billion at P65 level. The total cost increase estimate until operational implementation at P65 is $3.7 billion.

"Bookend" investments are also underway to the north and south:

• The Caltrain electrification "bookend" investment in the Bay Area (as well as grade separations, etc.) is proceeding, and is expected to be completed in late 2024.
• A "bookend" investment in the "Link US" project (Phase A) will shortly begin construction for Los Angeles Union Station. Phase B still needs to be funded. (There are also other "bookend" investments which are in progress.)

History of construction

Major construction milestones

• On December 2, 2010, the Authority Board of Directors voted to begin construction on the first section of the system (in the Central Valley).
• On July 19, 2012, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation approving construction of the high-speed system.
• On January 6, 2015, the City of Fresno hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the commencement of sustained construction activities.

Past projected construction timelines

The 2008 Business Plan projected that construction for the entire project would be completed by 2030.

The 2012 Business Plan projected HSR service between Los Angeles and San Francisco would not be available until 2029.

The 2016 Business Plan projected:

• By 2018: The Initial Construction Segment (ICS) would be completed – 130 miles (210 km) – Merced to Bakersfield.
• By 2022: Initial Operating Section (IOS) would be completed – 300 miles (480 km) – Merced to Burbank
• By 2027: Bay to Basin would be completed – 410 miles (660 km) – San Jose & Merced to Burbank
• By 2029: Phase 1 Blended would be completed – 520 miles (840 km) – San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim

The 2018 Business Plan projected HSR service between Los Angeles and San Francisco will not be available until 2033.

The 2020 Business Plan projected HSR service between Silicon Valley and the Central Valley would be operational by late 2031, and that service between Los Angeles and San Francisco will be operational in 2033.

The 2022 Business Plan does not have a projected timeline for completion of any of the segments other than the Interim IOS, recognizing that financial constraints make such an estimate unpredictable. Table 5.0 gives estimates of costs to finish the construction in year of expenditure dollars, but assumes that there would be no major delays.

Initial construction approvals

On December 2, 2010, the Authority Board of Directors voted to begin construction on the first section of the system from Madera to Fresno, known as the Initial Construction Segment (ICS). Five "construction packages" are currently being planned for this section. With the Design-Build contractual system the Authority is using, the contractor will be responsible for the final construction design elements, following the guidelines and specifications of the contract. The intent of this (as explained by Dan Richard, chair of the Authority) is to minimize last minute design change orders arising during the construction process (which tend to add to expenses and slow construction).

On December 20, 2010, due to the infusion of an additional $616 million in federal funds reallocated from states that canceled their high-speed rail plans, the initial segment of construction was extended to Bakersfield. Another $300 million was reallocated on May 9, 2011, extending the funded portion north to the future Chowchilla Wye (where trains can be turned).

In September 2012, the Obama administration gave California's high-speed rail project the green light to streamline the permitting process for the 114-mile (183 km) section of the project which starts just north of Fresno in Madera County and runs south to Bakersfield.

On August 12, 2014, the federal Surface Transportation Board approved the HSR route from Fresno to Bakersfield. This was the final approval needed before beginning construction.

Also, on December 15, 2014, the federal Surface Transportation Board determined (using well-understood preemption rules) that its approval of the HSR project in August "categorically preexempts" lawsuits filed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This cleared the last obstacle before construction could begin. However, this supposition is still being tested in the California courts in a similar case, Friends of Eel River v. North Coast Railroad Authority.

On June 10, 2015, the Authority authorized a "Rail Delivery Partner" contract to be negotiated and signed by the CEO, valued at up to $700 million, for services through 2022. This is a successor to the support provided by the current Project Management Team contract. The RDP will provide engineering and management services to see the project from a planning mode into a construction mode. The RDP partnership under the lead of Parsons Brinckerhoff includes Network Rail Consulting (the international consulting arm of the UK rail authority) and LeighFisher (a global management firm with extensive experience in infrastructure and advisory services). The other partnership competing was under Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation.

Central Valley Construction

As of October 2024, active construction in the Central Valley has been ongoing on 119 miles (192 km) of high-speed right-of-way with a design speed of 220 miles per hour (350 km/h). These 119 miles are constructed by three different consortia, split into so-called "construction packages (CPs)": CP 1, CP 2-3, and CP 4. The full "initial operating segment (IOS)" in the Central Valley will stretch 171 miles (275 km), with its remaining segments under advanced design and construction contracts yet to be awarded.

Initial contracts awards (119 miles)

CP 1. On August 20, 2013, the joint venture of Tutor Perini/Zachry/Parsons executed a design-build contract for the initial Madera to Fresno segment, about 29 miles (47 km) long. The contract is valued at approximately $985 million, plus an additional $53 million in provisional sums. Construction was originally expected to begin in 2013, but was delayed by the slow pace of property acquisition.

CP 2-3. Dragados of Spain, with Flatiron West of San Marcos, and Jacobs Engineering of Oakland, won the bid for the second design-build construction package on December 11, 2014. Dragados/Flatiron/Jacobs submitted a bid of $1,365,335,890 to design and build the 65-mile (105 km) stretch from the south end of Fresno to near the Tulare-Kings county line and was deemed the "apparent best value" bidder by the Authority. The winning bid came well below the range of $1.5 billion to $2 billion that was forecast by engineers and consultants working for the rail authority due to their innovative plan for cutting-and-filling instead of more expensive construction alternatives. This plan however was deemed impossible due to soil and hydrological conditions on site and the plan was reverted to its original designs.

CP 4. Five construction teams competed for this 22-mile (35.4 km) segment. This section was estimated to cost $400–500 million. In January 2016 the apparent best value bid of $347.5 million (about $50 to $150 less than the estimated cost) was received from California Rail Builders (a consortium led by Ferrovial Agroman US Corp, an American subsidiary of Spain's Ferrovial S.A., also including Eurostudios, a Spanish engineering firm, and Othon Inc., a Houston-based engineering and environmental consulting company). The California Rail Builders bid was $347.5 million. The contract awarded includes an additional $107 million for utility relocation costs for electric, gas and communication lines. This project has had the least issues out of all of the current construction packages and is set to be completed by late 2023.

This package was shortened by about 8 miles (13 km) to a length of 22 miles (35 km) due to disputes with the cities of Bakersfield and Shafter. The construction segment now ends on the north side of Shafter due to the need to negotiate routes through Shafter and northern Bakersfield. The agreement between the cities and the Authority gave the parties until January 2016 to come up with the new alignment. The Poplar Avenue to Bakersfield Locally Generated Alternative was signed by the Authority's CEO on October 31, 2019, and as of May 2022, geotechnical work has begun taking place.

Central Valley extensions (52 miles)

In August 2022, contracts for advanced design work, right-of-way mapping, and identification of utility relocation work in the Merced-Madera and the Shafter to Bakersfield (Locally Generated Alternative) segments were approved. Construction will only begin once the design and land has been acquired. This reflects a change from the approach taken with the first four construction packages. Utility relocations will also begin as land is purchased to speed the construction process and avoid delays.

The Merced to Madera extension design contract ($41 million) was awarded to Stantec Consulting Services Inc., for approximately 33.9 mi. with 40 structures. The Shafter to Bakersfield (Locally Generated Alternative) extension design contract ($44.9 million) was awarded to HNTB for approximately 18.5 mi. with 31 structures. These design contracts are expected to last into 2024.

Rail facilities and stations

The design contract for the Central Valley stations was awarded on October 20, 2022.

In addition, a large parcel will be needed for a rail yard, train sheds, machine shops, and other buildings for work on the tracks and trainsets in the Heavy Maintenance Facility (HMF). The counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Kings, and Kern all have expressed some interest in being selected for the site, since it is expected to provide up to 1500 good paying jobs. Per the May 2023 CEO Report to the Board, eleven potential sites have been identified in these four counties, and an architectural and engineering contractor will be selected (approximately by October 2023) for a two-year contract to evaluate the properties, develop the necessary environmental documents, and obtain necessary approvals. In 2025 staff will provide the Board with their preferred alternative for their decision.

Statewide connectivity projects

According to the Authority: "Connectivity or ‘Bookend’ Projects refer to the billions of dollars in infrastructure investment throughout the state that are part of the California High-Speed Rail system. These funds will strengthen and improve existing rail networks, while also connecting them with California's future high-speed rail system. Senate Bill (SB) 1029 passed by the California Legislature and signed by Governor Brown in July 2012, invests almost $2 billion from the Safe, Reliable, High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century (Proposition 1A) into transit, commuter, and intercity rail projects across the state. This funding leverages approximately $5 billion in additional funding for these projects."

Major "bookend" investments are underway to the north and south:

• The Caltrain electrification "bookend" investment in the Bay Area (as well as grade separations, etc.) is proceeding, and is expected to be completed in late 2024.
• A "bookend" investment in the "Link US" project (Phase A) will shortly begin construction for Los Angeles Union Station. Phase B still needs to be funded.

Other connectivity projects partly funded by the Authority are:

• Bay Area Caltrain Advanced Signal System (CBOSS/Positive Train Control)
• Bay Area Central Subway
• Bay Area Maintenance Shop and Yard Improvements
• Bay Area Millbrae Station Track Improvement and Car Purchase
• Central Valley Sacramento Intermodal Facility High-Speed
• Central Valley San Joaquin Corridor, Merced to Le Grand Segment 1
• Central Valley Stockton Passenger Track Extension
• Central Valley/Los Angeles Metrolink High-Speed Rail Readiness Program
• Los Angeles Metrolink Positive Train Control
• Los Angeles Positive Train Control, Los Angeles to Fullerton Triple Track
• Los Angeles Positive Train Control, Moorpark to San Onofre
• Los Angeles Regional Connector Transit Corridor
• San Diego Blue Line Light Rail Improvements
• San Diego North San Diego County Transit District, Positive Train Control
• San Diego Positive Train Control, San Onofre to San Diego

Construction status by structure

CP 1 (Madera–Fresno)

Construction Package 1 (CP 1) is 32 miles (51 km) long, running from Avenue 19 north of Madera to East American Avenue south of Fresno. The contract was awarded August 16, 2013, and a Notice to Proceed was given on October 15, 2013. Groundbreaking was on January 6, 2015, in Fresno.

As of June 2024, out of 33 structures, 18 were complete, 11 were under construction, and 4 had not yet begun construction; out of 32 miles of guideway, 2 were complete, 18 were under construction, and 12 had not yet begun construction.

#	Project	Status	Milepost	Type	Date of completion	Notes	Refs
1	Road 26 GS	Under construction		Grade Separation (GS)		Construct roadway overcrossing of existing BNSF track and the future High-Speed Rail alignment. Awaiting relocation of the adjacent Madera AMTRAK Station to its new location 8 miles south (to north of Avenue 12) by the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA). Construction began in March 2024 and will continue into late 2025.
2	Road 27 GS	Completed	167.69 mi (269.87 km)	GS	Aug 20, 2021	636 ft (194 m) length over BNSF and High-Speed Rail
3	Avenue 17 GS	Under construction		GS		Construct roadway overcrossing of existing BNSF track and the future High-Speed Rail alignment. Will continue Avenue 17 across the existing railway where no connection previously existed.
4	Fresno River Viaduct	Completed	169.99 mi (273.57 km)	Viaduct	2018	1,600 ft (490 m) length
5	Avenue 15+1⁄2 GS	Completed		GS	Aug 26, 2022	468 ft (143 m) length over BNSF and High-Speed Rail
6	Avenue 15 GS	Completed	171.32 mi (275.71 km)	GS	Aug 26, 2020	278 ft (85 m) length over BNSF and High-Speed Rail
7	Cottonwood Creek Viaduct	Completed		Viaduct	Mar 2018	250 ft (76 m) length
8	Avenue 12 GS	Completed	174.81 mi (281.33 km)	GS	2022	167 ft (51 m) length over High-Speed Rail and local access road; a separate structure was built further east to carry Avenue 12 over the existing BNSF track.
9	Avenue 11 GS	Completed	175.82 mi (282.95 km)	GS	Jul 31, 2019	100 ft (30 m) length over High-Speed Rail.
10	Avenue 10 GS	Completed	176.85 mi (284.61 km)	GS	Sep 8, 2020	116 ft (35 m) length over High-Speed Rail.
11	Avenue 9 GS	Completed	177.94 mi (286.37 km)	GS	Nov 15, 2023	Complete and open to traffic.
12	private agricultural underpass	Completed		Culvert	Jul 31, 2019	Box Culvert undercrossing for private farm road.
13	Avenue 8 Overpass	Completed	179.08 mi (288.20 km)	Overpass	Jul 31, 2019	110 ft (34 m) length over High-Speed Rail.
14	Avenue 7 GS	Completed	180.27 mi (290.12 km)	GS	Oct 2, 2020	196 ft (60 m) length over High-Speed Rail.
15	San Joaquin River Viaduct & Pergola	Completed	181.59 mi (292.24 km)	Viaduct/Pergola	May 2021	4,741 ft (1,445 m) total length. Arch Span over San Joaquin River is 200 ft (61 m) long; the Pergola section over the Union Pacific Railroad has a length of 1,626 ft (496 m).
16	Herndon Avenue Underpass	Not yet started		Underpass
17	Veterans Boulevard	Completed		Street / GS	Sep 19, 2022	Bridge crossing over Golden State Boulevard, High-Speed Rail and UPRR tracks. The bridge spanning the UPRR and CAHSR tracks opened on September 19th, 2022, while the SR-99 Interchange associated with this Grade Separation opened to traffic on November 20th, 2023.
18	Herndon Canal culvert	Completed		Culvert	2021	Culvert built, Golden State Boulevard rerouted over culvert.
19	Shaw Avenue GS	Not yet started		GS		Bridge going over CHSRA, UPRR, and Golden State Boulevard. Right of way is partially cleared both for the Grade Separation and the realignment of Golden State Boulevard.
20	Golden State Boulevard Realignment	Under construction		Realignment		Golden State Boulevard between Olive Avenue and Belmont Avenue was permanently closed on March 4, 2024.
21	State Route 99 Realignment	Completed		Realignment	Feb 15, 2018	Open to traffic
22	McKinley Avenue GS	Under construction	188.99 mi (304.15 km)	GS
23	Motel Drive Realignment	Not yet started		Realignment		Right of way largely cleared. Utility relocations periodically taking place.
24	Olive Avenue GS	Not yet started		GS		Overpass over CHSRA, UPRR, and North Weber Avenue. Utilities are in the process of being relocated, most if not all of the required land has been cleared on either end.
25	Belmont Avenue GS	Under construction		GS		Work has kicked off on the west side of the Union Pacific tracks and utility relocations continue on the east side. This grade separation will be a viaduct over Weber Avenue, the Union Pacific, the northern end of the High-Speed Rail's Fresno Trench, and a narrowed Golden State Boulevard (a/k/a Motel Drive).
26	Fresno Trench	Under construction		Trench		Wall covering of the secant retaining walls complete; intrusion protection barrier walls next to Union Pacific tracks installed. A shoofly for the Westside Wye has been opened sometime during May 2022. Utility relocations have begun taking place again as of March 2022, with pilings being put in between North Thorne Avenue and the northern leg of the Westside Wye.
27	State Route 180 Passageway	Completed	190.83 mi (307.11 km)	Tunnel		Cut-and-cover-tunnel under SR 180 freeway has been finished.
28	Stanislaus Street Bridge	Not yet started		Removal		Existing structure to be removed due to inadequate vertical clearance for High-Speed Rail.
29	Tuolumne Street Bridge	Completed		Overpass	Aug 4, 2017	Completed and open to traffic.
30	Fresno Street Underpass	Not yet started	191.85 mi (308.75 km)	Underpass		To be lengthened and renovated.
31	Tulare Street Underpass	Under construction	192.03 mi (309.04 km)	Underpass		Post-tensioning of the G Street bridge has been completed, falsework has been removed, and the concrete to form the barrier and sidewalk has been placed. Crews are now putting the finishing touches, including paving and installing streetlights on the bridge for traffic. Work continues on the eastern approach to the underpass next to the Historic Fresno Depot.
32	Ventura Street Underpass	Under construction		Underpass		Crossing G St / Ventura St removed; temporary tracks for Union Pacific railway. Trench being dug and formwork appears to have been put up for the future G Street Bridge.
33	State Route 41 Freeway	Not yet started		Modify Existing Viaducts		Minor modifications to existing two structures (westbound and eastbound) which carry SR 41 over the High-Speed Rail alignment.
34	Church Avenue GS	Under construction		GS		Roadway overpass; right of way cleared. Road closures for Utility relocations began in July 2022. Construction started on April 27, 2023, with several road closures. The BuildHSR website currently estimates this structure's completion date at the end of September 2025.
35	Cedar Viaduct	Completed	195.66 mi (314.88 km)	Viaduct	May 10, 2023	3,700 ft (1,100 m) in length.
36	Muscat Avenue Viaduct	Completed	195.98 mi (315.40 km)	Viaduct	Mar 2018	North Central Canal culvert complete
37	Property access Viaduct	Completed		Viaduct	Mar 2018	Short section of viaduct to allow a property access road to run underneath. Completed at the same time as the Muscat Viaduct just to the north.
38	Central Avenue GS	Under construction	196.48 mi (316.20 km)	GS		Canal culvert has been completed, bridge deck completed.
39	East American Avenue GS	Completed	197.49 mi (317.83 km)	GS	Nov 16, 2021	353 ft (108 m) length over High-Speed Rail alignment and BNSF Railway. Allowance for additional track to access the HSR Heavy Maintenance Facility if it is chosen to be built just to the south.

CP 2-3 (Fresno – Tulare/Kern)

Construction package 2-3 (CP 2-3) is 65 miles (105 km) long, running from East American Avenue south of Fresno to 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the Tulare / Kern County border. The contract was awarded June 10, 2015, and a Notice to Proceed was given on July 25, 2015. The contractor is the joint venture of Dragados USA/Flatiron Construction. Groundbreaking took place in August 2018.

As of June 2024, out of 49 structures, 19 were complete, 23 were under construction, 7 had not yet begun construction; out of 65 miles of guideway, 35 were complete, 15 were under construction, and 15 had not yet begun construction.

#	Project	Status	Milepost	Type	Date of completion	Notes	Refs
1	Lincoln Avenue GS	Canceled		Grade Separation (GS)		This Grade Separation has been cancelled and will not be constructed. Lincoln Avenue will be terminated on either side of the HSR alignment.
2	Adams Avenue GS	Completed	199.49 mi (321.05 km)	GS	Dec 20, 2022	Complete and open to traffic.
3	South Avenue GS	Completed	200.49 mi (322.66 km)	GS	Feb 28, 2022	Complete and open to traffic.
4	BNSF Track Realignment	Under construction		Realignment		Shifting the existing BNSF tracks to the east side of the right of way between South Avenue and the Conejo Viaduct.
5	Manning Avenue GS	Under construction	201.49 mi (324.27 km)	GS		Roadway overpass; right of way cleared, roadway was removed on east side of tracks with embankment work underway as of late March 2024.
6	Floral Avenue GS	Completed	203.52 mi (327.53 km)	GS	July 15, 2024	Complete and open to traffic.
7	Nebraska Avenue GS	Not yet started	204.60 mi (329.27 km)	GS		Roadway overpass; right of way partially cleared
8	Mountain View Avenue GS	Completed	205.58 mi (330.85 km)	GS	July 15, 2024	Complete and open to traffic.
9	Conejo Viaduct & Pergola	Under construction	207.70 mi (334.26 km)	Viaduct/Pergola		All girders have been placed.
10	Peach Avenue Viaduct	Under construction	208.29 mi (335.21 km)	Viaduct		Embankments and abutments complete on both sides, bridge deck appears to be in place.
11	Elkhorn Avenue Overcrossing	Completed		Overpass	Jul 7, 2023	Complete and open to traffic.
12	Fowler Avenue Overcrossing	Completed		Overpass	Dec 21, 2022	Complete and open to traffic.
13	Davis Avenue Overcrossing	Completed	212.08 mi (341.31 km)	Overpass	Oct 30, 2023	Complete and open to traffic.
14	State Route 43 Tied Arch Bridge	Under construction		Viaduct		Falsework for the bridge deck spanning SR-43 went up in February and March of 2024.
15	Cole Slough Viaduct	Under construction		Viaduct		Right of way leading up on both sides cleared, river basin is partially cleared.
16	Dutch John Cut Bridge	Under Construction		Viaduct		Right of way leading up on both sides cleared, river basin is partially cleared.
17	9th Avenue Viaduct	Under construction	215.67 mi (347.09 km)	Viaduct		Bridge is mostly complete. Embankments are being built up on either end.
18	Cairo Avenue Viaduct	Completed	216.09 mi (347.76 km)	Viaduct	Dec 20, 2022	Complete and open to traffic.
19	Kings River Viaduct	Under construction		Viaduct		Right of way leading up on both sides cleared, river basin cleared, test pilings finished in mid-2020. Three rows of bridge supports are in the process of being built up, with the northern bridge abutment having already been completed as of October 7, 2022. A temporary construction access bridge has been put up over the waterway.
20	Dover Avenue Overcrossing	Completed	217.82 mi (350.55 km)	Overcrossing	May 3, 2023	Dover Avenue Overcrossing opened on May 3, 2023, along with the Idaho Avenue Overcrossing.
21	Excelsior Avenue Grade Separation	Under construction	218.3 mi (351.3 km)	GS		Bridge deck completed for 5 years. Embankments were started but stopped. Cause of construction unclear, possible utility holdup. Date of construction resuming unknown.
22	Elder Avenue Grade Separation	Canceled		GS		This Grade Separation has been cancelled and will not be constructed. Elder Ave will be terminated on either side of the high speed rail alignment.
23	Flint Avenue Grade Separation	Completed	220.86 mi (355.44 km)	GS	June 26, 2024	Complete and open to traffic.
24	Fargo Avenue Grade Separation	Under construction	221.88 mi (357.08 km)	GS		Bridge deck nearly completed. Embankments have been completed. Road has been removed at ground level and no grade level crossing anymore. Waiting for paving of caul de sac on east side, 7 1/2 Ave and Fargo Ave to west of guideway, and embankments. Structure completion may occur in Q4 2024.
25	Grangeville Boulevard Viaduct	Not yet started		Viaduct		Viaduct to carry 2 tracks of High-Speed Rail over Grangeville Boulevard just north of the Hanford Viaduct. Waiting on two powerline relocations.
26	Hanford Viaduct	Under construction		Viaduct		Abutments under construction. All 286 bridge columns have been completed. Construction of the falsework for the superstructure is underway. As of November 2, 2023, the majority of the 978 total girders needed have been installed.
27	Hanford Armona Road Grade Separation	Under construction	224.92 mi (361.97 km)	GS
28	Houston Avenue Grade Separation	Not yet started	225.96 mi (363.65 km)	GS
29	Iona Avenue Grade Separation	Not yet started		GS		Unknown if this structure will actually be constructed. If not, Iona Ave will be terminated on either side of the high speed rail alignment.
30	Idaho Avenue Overcrossing	Completed	227.96 mi (366.87 km)	Overcrossing	May 3, 2023	Idaho Avenue Overcrossing opened on May 3, 2023, along with the Dover Avenue Overcrossing
31	Jackson Avenue Overcrossing	Completed	228.97 mi (368.49 km)	Overcrossing	Sep 15, 2022	Bridge was opened to traffic on September 15, 2022, and was the first structure to be completed in Kings County.
32	State Route 43 (near Jersey Avenue) Overpass	Under construction		GS		High speed rail will pass through a closed Jersey Avenue and under SR 43 which will be rebuilt on an elevated structure. Road was temporarily realigned to the west in mid-November 2023.
33	Kent Avenue Grade Separation	Completed	231.18 mi (372.05 km)	GS	Oct 12, 2022	Structure completed and opened to traffic on October 12, 2022, and was the second structure to be completed in Kings County.
34	Kansas Avenue Grade Separation	Completed	232.21 mi (373.71 km)	GS	Nov 2, 2023
35	Lansing Avenue Underpass	Not yet started		Culvert		Box culvert-style agricultural underpass.
36	Cross Creek Viaduct	Under construction		Viaduct		Viaduct spanning Cross Creek.
37	State Route 43 (south of Cross Creek) Curved Bridge	Under construction	235.82 mi (379.52 km)	Overpass		High speed rail crossing under a new elevated structure for SR 43. Road was temporarily realigned in early November 2023.
38	Newark Avenue Overpass	Not yet started		Overpass		High speed rail crossing over Newark Avenue. This grade separation structure may not be built; if so, Newark Ave will be terminated on either side of the high speed rail embankment.
39	Waukena Avenue Overpass	Under construction	240.17 mi (386.52 km)	Overpass		High speed rail crossing over a realigned Waukena Avenue (a/k/a Corcoran Highway).
40	Whitley Avenue Overpass	Under construction	241.16 mi (388.11 km)	Overpass		High speed rail crossing over Whitley Avenue/SR 137. Construction started in December 2022 and is expected to continue through 2023 and into 2024.
41	156 Avenue Grade Separation	Under construction	241.16 mi (388.11 km)	Culvert		High speed rail crossing over 156 Avenue. Construction started sometime in 2024.
42	Tule River Viaduct & Pergola	Under construction	244.79 mi (393.95 km)	Viaduct/Pergola		Viaduct/Pergola/Bridge combination over SR 43, Avenue 144, the BNSF Railway, and the Tule River. SR 43 realigned. As of November 22, 2023, 102 girders of the 264 total needed have been placed.
43	Avenue 136 Grade Separation	Not yet started		GS
44	Avenue 120 Grade Separation	Under construction	248.1 mi (399.3 km)	GS		Land has started being cleared on both sides.
45	Avenue 88 Grade Separation	Under construction	252.90 mi (407.00 km)	GS		Embankments and abutments complete. Bridge deck has been complete for several months, awaiting paving of embankment ramps.
46	Deer Creek Viaduct	Under construction		Viaduct		Viaduct spanning Deer Creek and adjacent wetlands to the south.
47	West Isle Line Railroad Grade Separation	Under construction		Railway GS		High speed rail to cross over freight rail track on an overhead structure.
48	Alpaugh Irrigation Pond	Under construction		Causeway		High speed rail to bisect Alpaugh Pond via a causeway.
49	Avenue 56 Grade Separation	Under construction	257.16 mi (413.86 km)	GS		Embankments have begun being built up, power line and temporary road relocations are complete.
50	Avenue 24 Grade Separation	Under construction	261.17 mi (420.31 km)	Culvert		Box culvert-style agricultural underpass. Utility relocations are complete, embankments are in the process of being built up.

CP 4 (Tulare/Kern – Poplar Avenue)

CP4 spans 22 miles (35 km), from the end of CP2-3 to the intersection of Poplar and Madera Avenue northwest of Shafter. The contract was awarded February 29, 2016, and a Notice to Proceed was given on April 15, 2016.

As of June 2024, all 11 structures were complete; out of 22 miles of guideway, 21 were complete, and the remaining one was under construction.

#	Project	Status	Milepost	Type	Date of completion	Notes	Refs
1	Garces Highway Viaduct	Completed	266.50 mi (428.89 km)	Viaduct	Jan 27, 2021	Bridge allowing High Speed Rail to pass over Garces Highway
2	Semitropic WSD Canal Relocation	Completed		Culvert	Dec 5, 2023	Culvert for Semitropic Water Storage District Canal to cross under High Speed Rail embankment. This project was delayed by cracks discovered in the existing canal when preparing the diversion of it to the relocated crossing.
3	Pond Road Viaduct	Completed	270.00 mi (434.52 km)	Viaduct	May 10, 2023
4	Peterson Road Bridge	Completed	271.20 mi (436.45 km)	Grade Separation (GS)	May 10, 2023
5	Sherwood Canal Culvert	Completed		Culvert	Spring 2022	Culvert for Canal to cross under High Speed Rail embankment. Completed sometime prior to Spring 2022.
6	Poso Creek Viaduct	Completed		Viaduct	Oct 28, 2020	240 ft (73 m) length
7	NKWSD Canal #9-22 Relocation	Under construction		Culvert		North Kern Water Storage District (NKWSD) Canal #9-22 relocation. Only remaining project to be completed in CP4.
8	McCombs Road Grade Separation	Completed	277.30 mi (446.27 km)	GS	Jul 18, 2023	McCombs Road crossing over High Speed rail, BNSF tracks, and SR 43.
9	SR 46 Underpass	Completed		Underpass		Rebuilt underpass enabling SR 46 to pass under High Speed Rail and BNSF tracks.
10	Wasco Pedestrian Underpass	Completed		Underpass		Box culvert underpass enabling pedestrians to cross under High Speed Rail for access to Wasco AMTRAK Station along adjacent BNSF tracks.
11	Poso Avenue Underpass	Completed		Underpass	Aug 3, 2023	New underpass enabling Poso Avenue (a/k/a Poso Drive) to pass under High Speed Rail, BNSF tracks, and Wasco Avenue (a/k/a J Street). Now complete and open to traffic.
12	Wasco Viaduct	Completed	280.40 mi (451.26 km)	Viaduct/Pergola		Major construction is complete as of March 2024. Some minor work remains that is likely to be completed in the coming months.
13	Kimberlina Viaduct	Completed	281.40 mi (452.87 km)	Viaduct		Viaduct for High Speed Rail to pass over Kimberlina Road.
14	Merced Avenue Grade Separation	Completed		GS	Aug 9, 2023	Roadway overpass of SR 43, BNSF Railway, and high speed rail alignment now completed and open to traffic. Temporary solar panels installed for powering roadway lighting pending permanent connection to PG&E electrical grid.

Station construction details

Five stations are planned for the Initial Operating Segment (IOS). The design contract for the central valley stations was awarded on October 20, 2022. This contact is for initial planning, including utilities management; a follow-on contract will be necessary for detailed station construction plans. The number of stations on the completed system was limited by Proposition 1A to 24.

At the start of operations of the Interim Initial Operating Segment (Interim IOS, Merced to Bakersfield) there will be 5 stations. These stations are discussed in the 2023 Project Update Report on pages 12–15. The report also has a timeline (on pages 8–9) that shows station construction is anticipated to commence in mid-2026, and finish in mid-2029.

Station Information

Station	Status	Location	Notes	Images
Merced	Initial planning & design	An aerial multi-modal hub station located adjacent to State Route 99, the Union Pacific Railroad Line and the Merced Transpo between R and O streets.	Local community is responsible	...
Madera	Initial planning & design	Located North of Ave. 12 in Madera	CHSRA is responsible, along with the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)	...
Fresno Historic Depot	Initial planning & design. The Fresno Historic Depot seismic retrofit design has also commenced and is expected to be completed in December 2024.	Located in downtown Fresno between Fresno, G, H, and Tulare streets. This will be a new station that incorporates the Historic Depot building into the site plan.	CHSRA is responsible	...
Kings-Tulare Regional	Initial planning & design	Located near the intersection of State Routes 198 and 43	CHSRA is responsible	...
Bakersfield	Initial planning & design	Project area is generally bounded by F Street to the west, 38th Street to the north, Union Avenue to the east and California Avenue to the south	CHSRA is responsible	...

Per the December 6, 2023 Board Memo: Construction Update:

"Central Valley Station Design Update
The station design contract was executed in March 2023 and awarded to Foster + Partners and Arup (F+P Arup) for the first phase of station designs. The preliminary designs for the four Central Valley stations have started, and the concept designs were submitted to the Authority in November 2023. The Fresno Historic Depot seismic retrofit design also commenced and is expected to be completed in December 2024. Outreach and coordination efforts with local agencies and stakeholders will remain ongoing as the design of stations advances."

External links

• California High-Speed Rail Authority
• California High-Speed Rail Authority's construction pages