September 2023 I Will Ride Update

I will Ride Logo

Greetings I Will Riders!

This was a big month for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) with the news of a recently awarded federal grant. We also continued the wave of recognition with another Employer of the Year award, this time in the Bay Area. Reaching farther south, we were excited to open a new exhibit in the heart of Downtown LA at a historic and cherished location.

California High-Speed Rail Receives Nearly $202 Million Grant from US DOT

Logo of the U.S. Department of Transportation next to a photo of the California high-speed rail train rendering. Earlier this month, we got exciting news the Authority was a recipient of an almost $202 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)! This grant from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, is part of the $1.4 billion in federal grants awarded to states to improve rail safety in the U.S. The Authority’s grant will be used to design, purchase right–of–way, and construct six grade separations in the city of Shafter. This significant news, which will mark the first construction outside of the 119 miles currently under construction in the Central Valley shows the federal governments continued commitment to building true electrified high-speed rail in the U.S. You can read more about construction updates at BuildHSR.com and take a closer look at California high-speed rail grade separations here on our website.

High-Speed Rail Talk of the Town at American Planners Conference

The Authority and partner teams were busy last weekend with a jam-packed schedule at this year’s American Planning Associations California Chapter conference. For the first time in several years, the conference was held in Fresno, making high-speed rail a key topic at the conference. Led by Principal Transportation Planners and tremendous support from Central Valley regional team members, planning experts and External Affairs team members, the Authority managed to incorporate three construction tours, session presentations, station site walking tours, and a full information center with 3D models and virtual reality at the Central Valley Regional offices where conference attendees learned more about the project. Authority CEO Brian Kelly also gave the keynote to kick off a full day of activities alongside Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.

Three photos that make a graphic. First photo are people standing over a 3D printed model of Fresno with the future California high-speed rail station. Second photo is a large group of about 50 people or so in construction vests and hard hats standing on a high-speed rail structure with arches above them. The third photo is a woman putting on virtual reality glasses.

Bay Area Women’s Transportation Seminar Employer of the Year

Two women standing holding an award smiling. Next to that photo is a WTS San Francisco logo. In the continued wave of employer recognitions, the Authority is once again recognized by the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) for Employer of the Year, this time with California’s Bay Area chapter. During an evening ceremony, Deputy Regional Director of the Northern California office, Morgan Galli accepted the award on the Authority’s behalf and celebrated the recognition with a group of passionate and committed transportation professionals in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley. The Authority is proud to be a WTS Employer of the Year recipient for Sacramento, Los Angeles, Bay Area, and International chapters.

Cherished Southern California Restaurant Showcases High-Speed Rail Display

Two photos of a large 16-foot display with information about rail history in California and California high-speed rail. A cherished Southern California restaurant, Philippe The Original worked closely with the Authority to showcase a Caltrans and high-speed rail display. The display was done just in time for LA Metro’s Trainfest and celebrates the history and future of Rail in Southern California. Philippe The Original opened in 1908 and is located right across the street from LA Union Station, a future stop for the California high-speed rail. You can take a look at the recap video on our YouTube channel and read more about the display below. If you visit Phillipe The Original, make sure to snap a picture and tag us on social media!

Two Mineta Transportation Institute Student Competitions

Graphic for a competition with the text #Visionzero2030. The graphic has illustrations of cars, buses, pedestrians and bicyclists. Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University is dedicated to increasing mobility for all by improving the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of our nation’s transportation system. MTI has a vibrant workforce development program that incorporates various K through 12 education competitions to get students thinking critically about all modes of transportation. This year, MTI will be having an essay contest and the Garrett Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition.

Essay Contest: The essay contest has a theme of Vision Zero 2030 giving students from grades 6 through 12th the opportunity to provide a concept to reaching zero casualties on the U.S. transportation system.

Garret Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition: The Garret Morgan competition, exclusively for middle school students, is an opportunity for students to create groups and choose a Science, Transportation, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) topic in transportation. If any groups wish to focus on high-speed rail, the Authority is happy to share resources!

Learn More

Professional Associations in Transportation Virtual Event

WTS-SF Bay Area and the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) of San Jose State invites you to join for a free virtual event “Connect for Your Career: An Introduction to Professional Associations in Transportation.” It will introduce university students and emerging professionals to Northern California transportation organizations that offer networking, professional development opportunities, and/or scholarship opportunities. This event is Wednesday, November 8, 2023 online from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Preliminary Train Interior Designs

Four sketch images of train interiors. Earlier this month on social media we shared preliminary designs for train interiors. Before we purchase any trains, we are taking input from various stakeholders to get all the thoughts and ideas to build first in the nation high-speed rail trains. Take a look at our social media to see these designs! You can provide your comments at traininteriors@hsr.ca.gov.

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Creating a Path to Success (CAPS) Leadership Academy

CAPS is a six-month leadership training program for college students. CAPS aims to empower and train the next generation of successful Hispanic civic and business leaders through training, network-building, and ongoing engagement with leaders in business development. Students do not have to have any specific area of focus in school, and students of all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Learn more and apply https://creatingapathtosuccess.my.canva.site/#home

Dragados Social Media Coordinador Selma, CA

Social media coordinator focusing on the California high-speed rail project.

Learn more and apply https://recruiting.ultipro.com/DRA1001DRAGA/JobBoard/78d2f77f-58d7-4a8a-a46e-fa96301596ab/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=1f8467c0-5162-4979-a38a-92e83e557eaf

COMTO National Scholarship

COMTO’s National Scholarship Program supports our strategic goal of ensuring the continuing legacy of minorities in transportation. COMTO annually awards multiple national academic scholarships, ranging from $500 to $6,000 each to minority graduate and undergraduate students from across the country. Scholarship awardees are represented in all academic backgrounds and are pursuing various careers in the transportation industry.

Learn more and apply https://comto.org/programs-events/national-scholarship-program

COMTO Northern California Scholarship

The Northern California Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO NorCal) is a national, multi-ethnic professional organization founded in 1971 to advance the representation of minority professionals in the transportation industry, nurture their career growth through networking and training, and champion equitable transportation development. A cornerstone of COMTO’s work is supporting the next generation of transportation professionals and providing financial support for students in need. This is COMTO NorCal’s 20th Scholarship Awards Gala. COMTO’s annual Future of Transportation Scholarship Program is currently seeking applicants through October 20, 2023 for scholarship awards of $2,000 to $6,000 each.

Learn more and apply https://comtonorcal.org/images/downloads/Documents/2023_comto_norcal_scholarship_application_final_form.pdf

WTS Sacramento Scholarships

WTS is committed to the advancement of women in the transportation industry, and one of the many effective ways they actively enable this advancement is through their scholarship program. Since 2005, the Sacramento Chapter has awarded over $125,000 in scholarships to 100 young women pursuing careers supporting the transportation industry through the generous donations of supporters and members.

Learn more and apply https://www.wtssacramento.org/scholarships

WTS International Strategic Partners Scholarships

The WTS Foundation awards scholarships to students pursuing careers in transportation through undergraduate and graduate programs. The scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant’s specific transportation goals, academic record and transportation-related activities or job skills. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

Learn more and apply https://www.wtsinternational.org/about/wts-foundation/scholarships

California Transportation Foundation Scholarships

The California Transportation Foundation’s (CTF) mission is to educate the future of the transportation profession through scholarships, educational programs, mentoring and internships. To learn more about the various scholarship opportunities offered by CTF make sure to check out their website linked below.

Learn more and apply https://www.the-ctf.org/scholarships

Amtrak

The National Passenger Corporation, also known as Amtrak, is a corporation striving to deliver a high-quality, safe, on-time rail passenger service that exceeds customer expectations. For 50 years, Amtrak has connected businesses and communities across the country and as Amtrak celebrates its 50th anniversary it looks to the next 50 years and beyond to move America’s workforce toward the future.

The Amtrak Scholarship Program provides academic scholarships to undergraduate and graduate college students who have an active interest in the railroad industry. This program has been established to provide support to help encourage academic achievement within railroad programs, ensuring a future in this industry.

Amtrak will award 11 scholarships in categories including

· women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math);

· Amtrak dependents;

· Non-Technical, Engineering and IT (Information Technology) degree candidates;

· African American, Asian Pacific American Islander and Hispanic/Latinx students.

Award amounts range from $3,000 to $5,000, and students are allowed to apply to more than one applicable category if criteria are met. Applications will be accepted through January 31st, 2023.

Learn More and Apply https://careers.amtrak.com/content/Academic-Scholarship-Program/?locale=en_US

Capital Fellows Program Applications Open

The Capital Fellows Programs is a nationally recognized public policy fellowships which offer unique experiences in policymaking and development in each branch of government. Capital Fellows are placed at some of the highest levels of California state government and assist state legislators, senior-level executive staff, and court administrators with a broad range of public policy issues and projects and are typically given assignments with a significant amount of responsibility and challenges.

Applications for the Capital Fellows program close on February 6, 2023 at 5:00pm.

The Authority is a proud partner of the Capital Fellows program having welcomed various fellows for their service year within our Communications team.

Learn More and Apply: https://www.csus.edu/center/center-california-studies/capital-fellows/

Stay Connected

Informational flyer for student I Will Ride program. Webinars, Project Updates, Student Opportunities and Construction Tours. Photos of professionals panel, train rendering, students tabling and construction tour.

Are you a student that wants to learn more about the California high-speed rail project, tour construction or join the project as a fellow or intern? Don’t miss any important updates, opportunities or notifications when you sign up for I Will Ride! Sign-Up for I Will Ride

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.