CEO Report
December 6, 2023
Industry Awareness Day | Merced and Bakersfield Extension |Business Plan Update |Relevant Materials
Industry Awareness Day Summary
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- The Industry Awareness Day event was held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023
- The purpose of the Industry Awareness Day was to provide information on the current and upcoming rail procurements aimed at delivering the first 171-mile operational segment of the California High-Speed Rail project.
- Part of a deeper dive into communicating with our industry partners including getting feedback on draft Requests for Qualifications
- The event was the first in-person industry event since the COVID-19 pandemic
- 343 in-person and virtual attendees participated
- A question-and-answer session was held at the event, addressing both in-person and virtual questions from attendees.
- Online resources:
- The event registration list
- Presentation slides
- Video
- Written questions and answers
- On HSR Track and Systems landing page:
Merced and Bakersfield Extension
- The Authority is on schedule to complete the Draft Configuration Footprint for Merced and Bakersfield extensions.
- Value Engineering and Value Analysis workshops were conducted in late October and early November. The Authority team is reviewing the recommendations to be considered for the final design.
- The Authority and Stantec’s team hosted a Community Open House and Workshop in the cities of Chowchilla and Merced on November 8th and 15th to provide project updates.
- The Authority received a grant from the 2022 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (2022 CRISI) Program. This $202 million grant in federal funds will complete the design, purchase right-of-way, and construct six grade separations in the City of Shafter. The grade separations are at Poplar Ave, Fresno Ave, Shafter Ave, Central Ave, Lerdo Hwy, Riverside St.
- The Authority started monthly coordination meetings with FRA on November 14, 2023.
- Upcoming Items in 2024 for extensions
- The Authority won over $3 billion grant from the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program to accelerate construction in the Central Valley and advance design work on the extensions
- Shows the federal government is a partner in the Authority’s expansion from the 119 to the full 171-mile segment
- Great kudos to the Authority team, management and Board; this is a hard-earned victory
- The Authority Board to consider issuing NTP-2 for 100% design on the entirety of both extensions and to commence early targeted right-of-way acquisition
- The Authority won over $3 billion grant from the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program to accelerate construction in the Central Valley and advance design work on the extensions
Business Plan Update
- Required by PUC Section 185033
- Foundational document for implementing the program
- Required every two years (even years)
- 2024 Business Plan
- Draft released in February for 60-day public comment review
- Board to adopt at April 2024 Board of Directors Meeting
- Due to Legislature (by statute) May 1, 2024
- Extensive draft preview at the January 2024 Board of Directors Meeting
RELATED MATERIALS
- Board Memo for December 2023 CEO Report.
- PowerPoint Presentation for December 2023 CEO Report.
- Video of December 2023 CEO Report (when available)
The California High-Speed Rail Authority makes every effort to ensure the website and its contents meet mandated ADA requirements as per the California State mandated Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA standard. If you are looking for a particular document not located on the California High-Speed Rail Authority website, you may make a request for the document under the Public Records Act through the Public Records Act page. If you have any questions about the website or its contents, please contact the Authority at info@hsr.ca.gov.