NEWS RELEASE: California High-Speed Rail Authority Pursues First Major Award Of New Federal Infrastructure Funds

Seeks Nearly $1.3 Billion in Federal Funds for MEGA-projects

May 24, 2022

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority has submitted two applications totaling nearly $1.3 billion in federal grant funding for the nation’s first high-speed rail project. The applications are the first major push for a continued federal partnership under the newly enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden in November, 2021.

“With the state’s continued commitment and the Biden Administration’s leadership and support, we are confident we will deliver a project the country will be proud of,” said Governor Newsom in his support letter for the grants. “California is the home of innovation, and we are committed to advancing this very innovative project to improve our economy, advance clean mobility and expand economic opportunity for all.”

More than 40 letters of support from up and down the state of California accompanied the Authority’s grant applications, including letters from United States Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, members of the Legislature, mayors and other elected officials, business, transportation and labor leaders statewide and nationally.

The Authority’s two applications include funding for:

• Constructing the second track for the initial operating segment between Merced and Bakersfield, beginning with the two tracks on the first 119 miles currently being built in the Central Valley.
• Advancing design work for the extensions to Merced and Bakersfield.
• Station development in Fresno and Kings/Tulare.
• Purchasing six fully electric train sets capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph.
• Advancing the next phase of design for two segments into the Bay Area (Merced to San Jose and San Jose to San Francisco) and into Southern California (Bakersfield to Palmdale and Burbank to Los Angeles).

If awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, these grants will help California accelerate progress toward the opening of the nation’s first 220 mph, electrified high-speed train system.  They will also advance design on crucial segments in both Northern and Southern California that cleared the environmental process in the past year.

California’s high-speed rail project is currently under construction in the Central Valley, employing an average of 1,000 men and women on more than 30 active job sites daily.  For continued progress information visit www.buildhsr.com.