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Image of logo that says Building CAPHOTO RELEASE: High-Speed Rail Completes First Tulare County Grade Separation at Avenue 56

 

June 16, 2025

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Avenue 56 grade separation is the first high-speed rail structure to be completed in Tulare County. Previously impacted by the 2023 floods, the overpass is now open to traffic spanning 219 feet long, taking traffic over the future high-speed rail tracks.

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. –  The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) today announced that the Avenue 56 grade separation is completed and now open to traffic. It is the first completed high-speed rail structure in Tulare County and the 55th structure completed for the system.

The Avenue 56 overpass was one of several high-speed rail structures impacted by atmospheric rivers and heavy rains that hit Kings and Tulare counties in March 2023. To assist and help the surrounding communities, the Authority worked with emergency personnel and Tulare County to build up berms to divert water and prevent flooding in the area, and for community members to utilize as an emergency access road. The berms were also used by local farmers to help transport livestock out of the flooded areas. More than 114,000 cubic yards of dirt was transported from Avenue 56 to build up the elevated berms.

A photo of the Ave 56 grade separation from above. Recently turned earth surrounds sleek clean new concrete, pavement, and painted lane lines.
Aerial view of Avenue 56 grade separation.
Headshot of Central Valley Regional Director Garth Fernandez in front of Authority's Fresno office front doors.

“To ensure the surrounding communities were safe and had access to vacate if needed during the heavy rains in 2023, the Authority and our contractor worked cooperatively with local agencies and emergency services. We are delivering the nation’s first high-speed rail system and there are opportunities during construction to also help address the needs of the local community."

Garth Fernandez, Authority Central Valley Regional Director

The Avenue 56 overpass will serve as a grade separation, taking traffic over the future high-speed rail tracks. Located south of the city of Corcoran, the structure spans more than 219 feet long, and 35 feet wide. The structure is comprised of 12 pre-cast concrete girders, 850 cubic yards of concrete and 161,795 pounds of steel.

Construction progresses every day on the California high-speed rail project. In addition to continued progress across the Central Valley, the Authority also announced the completion of four grade separations at Fargo Avenue and Whitley Avenue in Kings County, and at Belmont Avenue and Central Avenue in Fresno County.

Graphic showing a high-speed train going underneath a bridge for Avenue 56. The stats of the bridge are 35 feet wide, 850 cubic yards of concrete, 161,795 pounds of steel and 12 pre-cast concrete girders.

Open above image for larger version.

There are currently 171 miles under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield.

Nearly 70 miles of guideway are completed, 55 structures have been completed and 29 additional structures are currently under construction between Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties. View our latest construction update here.

Since the start of high-speed rail construction, the project has created more than 15,300 good paying construction jobs, a majority going to residents of the Central Valley.

As many as 1,700 workers are dispatched to a high-speed rail construction site daily.

Interviews in Spanish are available upon request. For more information, contact the Authority’s media relations office at: news@hsr.ca.gov.

Se ofrecen entrevistas en Español bajo solicitud. Para obtener más información, contacte a la Oficina de Relaciones con los Medios por correo electrónico: news@hsr.ca.gov.

For the latest on high-speed rail construction, visit www.buildhsr.com.

The following link contains recent video, animations, photography, press center resources and latest renderings: https://hsra.app.box.com/s/vyvjv9hckwl1dk603ju15u07fdfir2q8.

Files are all available for free use, courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority

 

Build More, Faster

High-speed rail is a key part of Governor Newsom’s Build More, Faster agenda, delivering infrastructure upgrades and creating jobs throughout the state. Discover more: Build.ca.gov

 

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