2025: A Year of Progress on Procurements

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) had a big year for major procurements in 2025. This progress kicked off with an industry forum held last January, where over 400 attendees from the private sector met with the Authority on a variety of topics.  In November, the Authority issued one of the largest procurements for any infrastructure project in the nation with the $3 billion track and systems procurement, and, the following month, issued a Request for Qualifications for a co-development agreement to select a private partner to evaluate opportunities to invest and deliver the project more efficiently. Read more about both procurements below.

Going into 2026, expect to see more opportunities for businesses – large and small – to help build the nation’s first true high-speed rail system. To learn more about current procurement opportunities, be sure to stay connected by visiting the Procurements webpage thiab Small Business Program qhov webpage.

California High-Speed Rail Moves Closer to Track and Systems

The release of the Track and Systems Construction Contract RFP is a major milestone to laying the first miles of track this year.

As noted above, on November 26, the Authority officially solicited bids from qualified vendors to begin building the nation’s first high-speed rail track and systems within the year. The $3.5 billion Request for Proposals on the Track and Systems Construction Contract marks a major acceleration toward track installation this year in California’s Central Valley and significant progress of the country’s first high-speed rail system toward operations.

The contract will deliver the systems that turn the civil works under construction today into a functioning high-speed rail line. Covering track, overhead contact system, train control, communications, and the testing and safety certification needed for service, the contract spans the 119 miles under construction today to the Merced and Bakersfield extensions.

For more information on this important milestone, check out the press release.

High-Speed Rail Launches Process to Draw in Private Investors

With growing private sector interest in the project, the Authority initiated a process to bring private investors and developers to the Authority by summer 2026 as part of CEO Ian Choudri’s focus on faster, smarter, and more economical delivery.

The Authority’s issuance of a Request for Qualifications on December 19 for a Co-Development Agreement (CDA) is aimed at selecting a private partner to evaluate opportunities to invest and deliver the project more efficiently, while commercializing assets at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Authority has seen strong interest from the private sector in investing in the high-speed rail project, and this procurement formalizes efforts to partner with private investors and developers. By leveraging private sector innovation and best practices against strong, stable state funding, the Authority can maximize the value of California’s investment and accelerate delivery of high-speed infrastructure throughout the state. Private investment not only reduces public capital requirements, but it also accelerates the project timeline, which reduces financing costs and lowers the cost of the project overall.

As an example of improved process, the Authority would be able to immediately mobilize track laying, which saves the taxpayer dollars by delivering materials on-site as soon as possible from vendors from around the U.S.

For more information and background on this funding and development strategy, read the press release.

Authority Releases Winter 2026 Progress Report

Click here to watch the video.

The Authority has released a video highlighting the latest updates on the nation’s first high-speed rail project. See major construction updates on high-speed rail structures throughout the Central Valley, including the Road 26 Grade Separation, Hanford Viaduct, and Shaw Avenue Grade Separation. The video also features updates on the railhead project in Kern County, and, as noted above, the release of the track and systems contract as well as the draft environmental documents for the Los Angeles to Anaheim segment. Watch the Progress Report video here.

This progress comes after 2025 finished strong with two more structures opening in the Central Valley in late October. The Avenue 17 grade separation in Madera County and Hanford Armona Road grade separation opened in late October as the eighth and ninth structures completed last year. Structures like those separate vehicles and pedestrians from current freight rail and future high-speed rail operations. This reduces environmental and health impacts from idling vehicles and provides safety benefits for the community.

Authority Releases Draft Environmental Document for Los Angeles to Anaheim Section

With this document, the Authority is closing in on full environmental clearance of the Phase 1 system.

The Authority released the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Los Angeles to Anaheim project section on December 5. The 30-mile segment between Los Angeles and Anaheim is the last project section in the environmental clearance process, moving the project closer to full environmental clearance for the 494-mile Phase 1 system. The draft environmental document is available for public review and comment through February 3, 2026.

The Los Angeles to Anaheim project section is the southernmost link of the first phase of the statewide high-speed rail system, connecting Los Angeles Union Station to the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, using the Los Angeles to Anaheim rail corridor that currently serves both freight and passenger service.

To learn more about the LA-A environmental documents, read the press release.

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The Authority is tracking several milestones and accomplishments to keep this project moving forward this year, including:

• Southern railhead facility near Wasco for operationalization.
• Clean Energy RFEI & procurement.
• Commoditized rail materials begin delivery. The Authority has recently executed a contract for this service, so this process will be underway shortly.
• Co-development Partnership awarded and onboarded.
• Track and Systems Construction Contract awarded.
• 119-mile civil works substantially completed.
• High-speed track laying begins.

Electrified Caltrain Is Cleaner and Healthier

The electrification of Caltrain led to cleaner and healthier air for passengers and neighboring communities. Photo credit: Caltrain

The Authority’s investment in Caltrain’s electrification is cleaning our shared air. A new study finds upgrading the system from diesel-powered trains led to significant declines in the deadly pollutant black carbon, also called soot.

Four University of California, Berkeley scientists tracked the amount of black carbon present before and after the shift from diesel power. Professor Joshua Apte and researchers Samuel Cliff, Haley McNamara Byrne, and Allen Goldstein focus on black carbon because it is one of the world’s most widespread carcinogens and causes many respiratory illnesses.

They found that the amount of black carbon inside Caltrain’s railcars dropped by 89 percent. The amount of black carbon on platforms and near stations also dropped. This is a clear public health benefit for the train’s riders, conductors, and communities.

Future high-speed rail service will bring the same health and environmental benefits on a larger scale. Avoided air pollutant emissions due to high-speed rail operation can save more than 400 air pollution-related deaths and avoid hundreds of thousands of cases of asthma over a 50-year operational period.

The Authority invested more than $714 million in the electrification of Caltrain and will share the tracks in a “blended system.”

Making the Case at Manny’s in the Mission

CEO Ian Choudri and Streetsblog SF editor Roger Rudick discuss high-speed rail at Manny’s in the Mission.

CEO Choudri updated a crowd of San Francisco transit enthusiasts on the project at a recent public discussion hosted by Manny’s in the Mission. Manny’s is a community-focused meeting and learning place in San Francisco, a combined restaurant, political bookshop, and civic events space allowing nonprofits, activists, and civic organizations to spread their message. Roger Rudick, the Streetsblog San Francisco editor, led a wide-ranging conversation with CEO Choudri on the project’s funding, plans for the Bay Area, and technical challenges.

Listen to the full conversation in Streetsblog’s Talking Headways podcast on the Streetsblog website or on Spotify. Hear audience reactions in this report from KALW.

Fresno Small Business Fair Draws a Crowd

Small Business Advocate Norma Curiel speaks to an attendee of the Authority’s workshop on the MATOC procurement.

The Authority’s Small Business team hosted a workshop on November 3 in Fresno to provide an overview of the Authority’s Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) procurement process, which offers a flexible, efficient, and competitive method to procure a variety of construction services. Dozens of local business leaders attended to hear about the Authority’s efforts to streamline its processes for smaller companies. The workshop covered details about the MATOC methodology, how businesses can participate, upcoming procurement opportunities, and more.

As of October 2025, there are 974 certified small businesses working with the Authority, with 283 of those in the Central Valley.

ConnectHSR, the Authority‘s Vendor Registry, is a free online platform where business owners can create and publish a profile for their business to seek business opportunities. The registry also serves as a place to find other businesses through its Tus neeg muag khoom nrhiav, allowing users to search for subcontractors by trade, region or certification type. Sau npe nrog ConnectHSR.

Pop-Up Transit Art Fair Celebrates the Past, Present, and Future of Transit in the Bay Area

To celebrate Bay Area Transit Month in September, the Authority and Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) co-hosted a pop-up transit art fair at the Salesforce Transit Center, the future northern terminal for the high-speed rail system.

Public transit was the inspiration for the 19 local artists who filled the grand hall with art for sale. About a thousand people showed up, reflecting how public transit connects and moves us, and envisioning a future of a more connected California when high-speed rail is in operation.

The U.S. Goes Rogue On The Climate Fight

Forbes

In a recent interview with Forbes report Alan Ohnsman, CEO Choudri dove deep into the bright future of California High-Speed Rail, as private investors start elevating the project to a whole new level. “They are here. They are talking to us. They’re ready to invest”, CEO Choudri states while discussing the skepticism others have about the private sector’s interest in the project. With an emphasis on progress and an exciting vision for the future of renewable energy in California, this interview is a interesting look on what is yet to come.

California High-Speed Rail Opens Route to Private Investment

Railway News

This article highlights the Authority’s move towards attracting private investors and developers through a Request for Qualifications for a Co-Development Agreement (CDA). The piece shares CEO Choudri’s news release quote, “Interest from the private sector in investing in California’s high-speed rail project is strong and continues to grow”. It also provides details of the Track and System construction contract procurement, as well as the progress made so far.

Mission Possible, Says the CEO of California High-Speed

International Railway Journal

CEO Choudri sat down with IRJ Deputy Editor Mark Simmons to discuss his vision for high-speed rail in California. Simmons writes, “with Choudri at the helm, there is a newfound sense of purpose.” The piece provides an overview of the project’s journey to where we are today and details CEO Choudri’s five goals to deliver a high-speed rail system as soon as 2032.

California High-Speed Rail Releases Latest Environmental Report Between L.A. and Anaheim

KTLA

This KTLA piece highlights the Authority’s release of the final environmental report for the 30-mile stretch connecting Los Angeles to Anaheim. As Authority Southern California Regional Director LaDonna DiCamillo puts it, “This marks a significant and important milestone in connecting end to end from Southern California to Northern California.” The article shares resources for the public to provide their input in during the public comment period.

California High-Speed Rail Hits New Milestone on $3.5 Billion Contract

Newsweek

Newsweek and about a dozen publications highlighted a major milestone for the Authority, the request for proposals for the track and systems contract worth $3.5 billion, bringing us one step closer toward laying track starting in 2026. The contract spans the 119 miles under construction today to the Merced and Bakersfield extensions. As Newsweek notes, “the project is North America’s biggest high-speed rail effort and promises to bring faster, cleaner travel across California.”

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