STEADY FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL

Legislation on Cap-and-Invest Provides Forward Momentum for this First-in-the-Nation project

September 10, 2025

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Authority CEO Ian Choudri today applauded State leaders’ agreement to reauthorize the Cap-and-Invest program, securing a historic commitment of $1 billion for the project annually through 2045, the largest guaranteed infusion of funding for California’s high-speed rail program to date. This agreement demonstrates that Californians are standing up to the Trump Administration’s backward-thinking obstruction and choosing instead to invest boldly in the future.

 

“I am grateful to Governor Newsom, our legislative leaders, and allies across the state and the nation – including those in the labor community – whose partnership and resolve helped make this possible. Today’s agreement has made a big, bold statement about California’s future—one that will create jobs, cut pollution, and connect and transform communities across the state.”

“This funding agreement resolves all identified funding gaps for the Early Operating Segment in the Central Valley and opens the door for meaningful public-private engagement with the program. As we move forward, I am greatly encouraged by commitments to continue productive discussions with the Administration and the Legislature to put in place statutory and regulatory enhancements that accelerate construction and give greater certainty on time and schedule for segment delivery. And we must also work toward securing the long-term funding—beyond today’s commitment—that can bring high-speed rail to California’s population centers, where ridership and revenue growth will in turn support future expansions.”

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 15,800 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.