NEWS RELEASE: ‘I Will Ride’ Relaunches With Expanded Effort

Nov 16 2020 Sacramento

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is working to inspire the next generation of the high-speed rail innovators with the relaunch of “I Will Ride.” This educational initiative is designed to inform, engage and connect a wide range of high-school, college and university students to the nation’s first high-speed rail system currently under construction in the Central Valley.

“‘I Will Ride’ is more than a commitment to take the train – it is about crafting a system that advances new transformative methods to travel throughout the state sustainably,” said Authority CEO Brian Kelly. “We must do so in a way that provides economic and job opportunity for the next generation.”

“I Will Ride” connects California students to the high-speed rail project and with the professionals from a variety of fields, including engineering, sustainability, communications and public policy, helping carry out the largest green infrastructure project in the country. “I Will Ride” first began as a student-led group with chapters established at different college campuses, including UC Merced, Fresno State, Fresno City College and UC Berkeley.

Now, “I Will Ride” will broaden to connect with students throughout the state, providing opportunities to learn about the high-speed rail project and gain first-hand knowledge from project leaders with webinars, mentorship opportunities, meet and greets, construction tours and regular project updates.
“The high-speed rail project is something that is going to have a lasting impact in California and the United States,” said Dr. Liz Adams, an engineering instructor at Fresno City College. “It’s an amazing opportunity to expose my students to a project that demonstrates the way that their chosen career shapes society and impacts engineering and technology.”

To kick off this next chapter, throughout the week of November 16-20, the Authority will be sharing past “I Will Ride” events and student stories on social media. In addition, the Authority will host a webinar for students and academic staff at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, that will feature some of the top leaders bringing high-speed rail to California and provide more information about the “I Will Ride” program.

For more information about “I Will Ride,” or to sign up for “I Will Ride” updates, visit www.hsr.ca.gov/iwillride.

High-speed rail has 119 miles of active construction in the Central Valley. On average, more than 1,200 construction workers are dispatched daily each week to work on the project. The full 520 miles of alignment is on schedule to be environmentally cleared by the end of 2022. Current students will play a large role in the design, execution and maintenance of high-speed rail as it progresses in California.

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