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Image of logo that says Building CAPHOTO RELEASE: High-Speed Rail Completes Another Tulare County Grade Separation Project

 

August 21, 2025

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Avenue 88 Grade Separation is complete and open to traffic in Tulare County. The grade separation is 485 feet long and more than 32 feet wide and will take traffic over the existing BNSF railroad tracks, State Route 43, and the future high-speed rail tracks. 
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. –  The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) today announced the completion of the Avenue 88 Grade Separation. Avenue 88 is the 57th structure to be completed in the Central Valley, the seventh structure to be opened to traffic this year and the second structure to be completed in Tulare County.
Taken from above via drone, the Avenue 88 Grade Separation predominates the photo, taking center stage. Parched earth surrounds it on all sides, as it passes over State Route 43 and the BNSF freight railroad tracks below, as well as the eventual location of high-speed rail tracks.
Taken from above via drone, the Avenue 88 Grade Separation predominates the photo, taking center stage. Parched earth surrounds it on all sides, as it passes over State Route 43 and the BNSF freight railroad tracks below, as well as the eventual location of high-speed rail tracks. A cloudless and bright sky meets the horizon taking up about half the photo.

Open the above images for larger versions.

Located near State Route 43 (SR 43), the overpass spans 485 feet long and more than 32 feet wide. The grade separation will now take traffic over SR 43 along with the BNSF railroad and future high-speed rail tracks. The structure is comprised of 20 pre-cast concrete girders ranging from 59 and 141 feet long, all of which were manufactured by contractor Dragados-Flatiron Joint Venture in Hanford, Calif. The structure is also comprised of 528,689 pounds of steel and 2,109 cubic yards of concrete.

Graphic showing high-speed rail tracks, BNSF tracks and a road under an overpass. The bridge is 485 feet long and 32’8” wide. Other technical information includes 2,109 cubic yards of concrete, 528,689 lbs. of steel and 20 pre-cast concrete girders.

Open above image for larger version.

Headshot of Central Valley Regional Director Garth Fernandez in front of Authority's Fresno office front doors.

“From urban Fresno to rural Tulare County, the Authority continues to deliver tangible benefits to local communities. This brand-new structure will improve access for farm equipment, emergency responders and everyday travelers, helping our valley stay safe and connected.”

Garth Fernandez, Authority Central Valley Regional Director
  On July 31st, the Authority celebrated the completion of the Tulare Street Grade Separation in downtown Fresno. Earlier this summer, the Avenue 56 grade separation project opened to traffic in Tulare County. Other structures completed and opened to traffic include grade separations at Belmont and Central avenues in Fresno County and at Fargo and Whitley avenues in Kings County.

High-Speed Rail Progress Work continues daily on the high-speed rail project, with 171 miles currently under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield. Nearly 70 miles of guideway are complete, along with 57 fully completed structures; an additional 29 more structures are underway across Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties. The project continues to advance statewide, with 463 miles of the 494-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim system fully environmentally cleared and construction ready. Since construction began, the project has created more than 15,500 good-paying jobs—most filled by Central Valley residents. Up to 1,700 workers report to high-speed rail construction sites each day.

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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