California High-Speed Rail Authority awarded $3.073 billion

In a strong show of support, the US Department of Transportation has awarded the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) nearly $3.1 billion. This payment will be in the format of grant funding for continued progress on California’s electrified 220mph high-speed rail system, the first in the U.S. The Biden-Harris Administration have awarded $3.073 billion in a show of support for project, to advance construction in California’s Central Valley. The aim of Authority is to produce a clean, fast, and affordable route of transport, from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

The Authority is building the country’s first high-speed rail facility. Officials on the Board include California Governor Gavin Newsom, and CalSTA secretary Toks Omishakin. The CEO of Authority, the organisation managing the high-speed project is Brian P Kelly. Parts of the project are due to be completed before the commencement of the 2028 Olympic Games, which are to be hosted in the Californian city of Los Angeles.

“California is delivering on the first 220-mph, electric high-speed rail project in the nation,” said the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom. “This show of support from the Biden-Harris Administration is a vote of confidence in today’s vision and comes at a critical turning point, providing the project new momentum.”

This is largest monetary grant the Authority has received, made possible by the new Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act, introduced by Biden’s administration. The influx of funding, which this Act brings, will allow the Authority to continue the successful project. The project has already created over 12,000 jobs in the region.

“I am proud to champion this historic federal investment for California High-Speed Rail,” told US Senator Alex Padilla. “California has never been afraid to take on big and bold challenges — including the development of the nation’s first true high-speed rail network. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and President Biden’s leadership, California has a partner in this effort to power our economy, reduce emissions, and connect our communities through high-speed rail.”

“California takes great pride in our ambitious status as the leading edge of high-speed rail in America.  With this new $3.07 billion in federal funding, we take an important leap closer to making high-speed rail a reality in California,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said.  “An electrified high-speed rail network will dramatically improve the quality of life in the Central Valley and up and down California.  These bullet trains will make travel quicker and easier, bring housing closer, create new jobs and economic opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach, secure cleaner air for our children and help save our planet.  Thank you to President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg for their recognition of the importance of high-speed rail to California and to our Nation.’

Congressman Jim Costa added: “For decades, I’ve worked to make California’s high-speed rail system a reality. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I helped pass; we now have significant investment to make major progress. I worked to secure this $3.1 billion federal grant to ensure continued economic growth and investments in California’s San Joaquin Valley. I want to thank President Biden, Governor Newsom, and our partners. We still have much more work to be done.”

The $3.073 billion will advance work in California’s Central Valley, including:

• Funding six electric trains for testing and use
• Funding design and construction of trainset facilities
• Funding design and construction of the Fresno station
• Funding final design and right-of-way acquisition for the Merced and the Bakersfield extensions
• Funding construction in the Central Valley

This recent and large award given by the Biden-Harris Administration was made possible through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail, designed to improve transportation across America. Over the past year, the Authority has pursued and have been successful in gaining funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (ILJA). Nearly $202 million from the federal government was awarded in September, to further critical safety, grade separation work on the project. In August, the Authority was awarded another $20 million for the remarkable Fresno Depot and station site. Overall, the Authority has received more than $3.3 billion in funding from this historic program.

“This historic federal investment sends a clear message that America is serious about high-speed rail, starting right here in California. With a federal partnership that’s stronger than ever, we are well on our way to delivering fast, clean, and reliable high-speed rail service to connect our state’s population centres,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin.

“I thank the Biden-Harris Administration and our Congressional leadership for this visionary investment in the future of transportation,” Omishakin added.

With the most southern 22 mile stretch of active construction on the near verge of completion, the Authority is continuing to advance design work to extend the 119 miles under construction to 171 miles of future electrified high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield.