California’s high-speed rail project creates 2,000 construction jobs
Posted: 4 June 2018 | Global Railway Review | No comments yet
Not only has the project created jobs, but each design-builder is implementing the project’s Targeted Worker Program. Thirty per cent of all project work hours are performed by National Targeted Workers…


Conceptual rendering of the California High-Speed Rail project. Credit: www.hsr.ca.gov
Since January 2015, when the high-speed rail project was launched, 2,000 construction jobs have since been created, announced the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA).
Strong partnerships have been made with the State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board and many other groups to train and hire a skilled workforce to build the nation’s first high-speed rail system.
Out of the 2,000 workers dispatched to the project, 145 reported living in Madera County, with 954 living in Fresno County and 172 in Kern County.
Fresno resident, Foster Ellis, was dispatched as the 2,000th worker for the project as a traffic control technician for Associated Traffic Safety. “I work everywhere from Madera to Fresno,” said Ellis. “I’m really excited to see this project finished; I think it will improve and expand Fresno.”
The CHSRA currently has 119 miles under construction within three construction packages. Design-builders Tutor-Perini/Zachry/Parsons, Dragados-Flatiron/Joint Venture and California Rail Builders have more than 20 active construction sites, with several more expected to open. This work totals more than $3 billion in construction commitments.
“This project milestone represents significant progress on the nation’s first high-speed rail system,” said Chief Operating Officer, Joe Hedges. “The workers we are recognising today are the ones that are going out every day to work on more than 24 active construction sites in the Central Valley. Once we expand out from the Valley to the north and the south, there are going to be hundreds of major structures that will need to be built, creating thousands of jobs and new opportunities.”
OUT NOW: The Definitive Guide to Rail’s Digital Future
The rail industry is undergoing a digital revolution, and you need to be ready. We have released our latest market report, “Track Insight: Digitalisation.”
This is not just another report; it’s your comprehensive guide to understanding and leveraging the profound technological shifts reshaping our industry. We move beyond the buzzwords to show you the tangible realities of AI, IoT, and advanced data analytics in rail.
Discover how to:
- Optimise operations and maintenance with real-time insights.
- Enhance passenger services through seamless, high-speed connectivity.
- Leverage technologies like LEO satellites to improve safety and efficiency.
Featuring expert analysis from leaders at Nomad Digital, Lucchini RS, Bentley Systems and more, this is a must-read for any rail professional.