Factsheets

About the High-Speed Rail Program

Connecting California

Connecting California Factsheet coverThis is a quick snapshot of the overall program and how it will transform mobility, spur economic growth, create a cleaner environment, and preserve agricultural lands and natural habitats.

 

 

Funding High-Speed Rail

Funding High-Speed Rail factsheet coverThe California High-Speed Rail Authority receives funding from federal and state sources which is being used to fund construction, environmental planning and other early work.

 

 

 

Keeping High-Speed Rail Moving

Maintenance Facilities CoverHigh-speed rail operations will require five different facility types: Maintenance of Way (MOW) facilities, Light Maintenance Facilities (LMF), a Heavy Maintenance Facility (HMF), an Operations Control Center, and operations management headquarters.

 

 

High-Speed, High-Capacity Transportation

Capacity Analysis CoverDespite planned investments in airports and highways, California is facing a transportation capacity crisis. To keep pace, California must expand its transportation capacity to improve mobility.

 

 

 

Designing Train Interiors

In preparation for the procurement of the initial trainsets, California High-Speed Rail is developing concepts for the layout and interiors of the cars that will shape an iconic design and set new standards for rail travel on the first true American high-speed train service.

 

 

 

Safety Factsheet

Safety Factsheet thumbnailThe California High-Speed Rail Authority is committed to safety on trains and surrounding train lines. Learn more about the measures being taken to protect you.

 

 

 

 

High-Speed Train Noise Levels

Noise factsheet thumbnailFour major factors make high-speed trains operate at generally quieter levels than conventional passenger and freight rail services.

 

 

 

 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Thumbnail image of the first page of the Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion factsheetWe’re committed to delivering the high-speed rail system to all Californians and achieving its mission in a way that reflects the Authority’s highest values.

 

 

 

 

 

High-Speed Rail: An International Success Story

cover of international success story factsheetHigh-speed rail may be new to the United States and California, but countries around the world have been building thousands of miles of high-speed rail for years, and many more countries plan to join them.

High-Speed Rail in Northern California

Northern California at a Glance

Norcal at a glance coverHigh-speed rail will provide clean, modern transportation for the millions of Northern California residents and will help tie the state’s economies together like never before.

High-Speed Rail in the Central Valley

Central Valley at a Glance

Central Valley ThumbnailHigh-speed rail is already happening in the Central Valley, with construction now spanning 119 miles across Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties.

 

 

 

Merced to Bakersfield Line: Connecting the Central Valley to California

Thumbnail image of the first page of the Merced to Bakersfield Line factsheetThe electrified high-speed rail line between Merced and Bakersfield is the first building block of the statewide system. This 171-mile line will offer the nation’s first true electrified high-speed rail service.

High-Speed Rail in Southern California

Southern California at a Glance

SoCal ThumbnailThe Authority continues its work in partnership with agencies, corridor cities, interested stakeholders and the public to bring the nation’s first high-speed rail to Southern California.

 

 

Caltrans Y El Tren De Alta Velocidad: Construyendo Al Futuro

En asociación con Caltrans y la Fundación de Los Angeles Railroad Heritage, instalamos una nueva exhibición que cuenta la historia del pasado, presente y futuro de los viajes en tren en California. La instalación está ubicada en Philippe The Original, el emblemático restaurante de Los Ángeles fundado en 1908.

Awarded Federal Grant Applications

California Inaugural High-Speed Services – FSP – National Major Projects Capital Grant

Learn about our application to fund early elements of the California Inaugural High-Speed Service – a two-track electrified high-speed passenger rail line connecting the cities of Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield.

 

 

Six Grade Separations in the City of Shafter – CRISI Program Grant

Thumbnail image of the Six Grade Separations in the City of Shafter FactsheetLearn about the CRISI grant we were awarded to expand construction of high-speed rail by completing six grade separations in the City of Shafter. The grant will fund their design, right-of-way purchases and construction.

 

 

Fresno Station Historic Depot Renovation and Plaza Activation Project – RAISE Program Grant

Learn about the RAISE grant we were awarded to restore a nationally registered historic passenger rail depot building, create a functioning park and plaza for early site activation efforts in anticipation of the future California High-Speed Rail station.

 

 

California High-Speed Rail Phase 1 Project – Corridor Identification and Development Program

Thumbnail image of the Corridor Identification and Development Program Factsheet.In December 2023, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) was accepted into the Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program managed by the US Department of Transportation, through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Learn about what that means for the project as we pursue more federal funding.

 

 

 

Madera to Merced Design — RAISE Program Grant

Learn about the RAISE grant we were awarded to advance the project beyond the 119-miles under construction and into downtown Merced.

 

 

 

Wasco SR 46 Grade Separation Improvement Project — RAISE Program Grant

Learn about the RAISE grant we were awarded for the construction of the Wasco SR 46 Grade Separation Improvement Project.

Pending Federal Grant Applications

Chowchilla and Fairmead Community Improvement Project – Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program

Thumbnail image of the Chowchilla and Fairmead Community Improvement Project FactsheetWe’re applying for a grant from the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program (RCN) to implement a series of mitigation projects that will improve access and equity in the City of Chowchilla and the nearby community of Fairmead.

Benefits of High-Speed Rail

The Economic Impact of California High-Speed Rail

Economic Impact ThumbnailA look at how investment in the nation’s first high-speed rail system has created jobs and generated economic activity in numerous ways.

 

 

 

 

High-Speed Rail: Creating Jobs

Jobs factsheet thumbnailCalifornia’s high-speed rail program is putting people to work. The number of employment opportunities continues to increase as the program expands.

 

 

Community Benefits Agreement

Thumbnail image of the Community Benefits Agreement FactsheetThe Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) helps small businesses and job seekers who are interested in working on the high-speed rail program. The policy removes barriers and assists small businesses and potential employees with finding and obtaining construction contracts, jobs and training.

 

 

 

Building a Sustainable Future

Sustainability Factsheet thumbnailCalifornia’s policies set a national tone on environmental issues. The goal is to deliver the greenest infrastructure project in the nation, both in construction and operations, and to honor California’s culture of environmental stewardship.

 

 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Authority has long-held commitments matched with actions that reduce construction and supply chain greenhouse gas emissions while delivering a system that is the backbone for transferring medium and long-distance trips to completely zero-carbon rail.

 

 

 

Student Leadership in High-Speed Rail Transportation

I Will Ride factsheet thumbnailI Will Ride is a student outreach program at the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) dedicated to connecting students to information and career opportunities on the nation’s first high-speed rail system currently under construction.

Small Business Program

Helping Small Businesses Grow

Small Business factsheet thumbnailMore about the Authority’s Small Business Program and how to get involved.

 

 

 

 

 

Connect HSR

Free Online Vendor Registry Cover SheetHow to get registered and stay connected.

 

 

 

 

 

HSR 101: Certification

HSR 101: Certification factsheet coverA summary of the Authority’s Small and Disadvantaged Business Program and the certification process.

 

 

 

 

 

HSR 102: Prepare to Bid

HSR 102: Prepare to Bid factsheet coverA helpful guide to assist in a bidding process.

 

 

 

 

 

HSR 103: Won the Bid

HSR 103: Won the Bid facstheet coverA summary of what to do before you sign the contract/agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

HSR 104: Post Award

HSR 104: Post Award factsheet coverA summary of what to do after you sign the contract/agreement.

Get the Facts

Get the Facts: Merced to Bakersfield Line

Get the Facts Merced to Fresno ThumbnailHigh-speed rail will connect California’s mega-regions, starting with the Merced to Bakersfield line as the first part of a building block approach.

 

 

 

 

Get the Facts: Construction

Get the facts: Construction thumbnailThe high-speed rail project has garnered a lot of publicity leading to speculation and rumor, making it important to separate fact from fiction.

 

 

 

 

Get the Facts: Sustainability

Get the facts: Sustainability thumbnailThe Authority is committed to building a high-speed rail system that minimizes impacts to both the natural and built environment, encourages compact land development around transit stations and helps California manage its pressing issues with climate change, traffic and airport congestion, and energy dependency.

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.