THE California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has awarded a major track and systems contract for the next phase of the state’s high-speed rail project, marking a transition from large-scale civil engineering works towards installation of key railway systems and eventually the start of operations.
The CHSRA board of directors has approved the start of tracklaying and systems installation on the initial 191km section under construction in California’s Central Valley. The contract has been awarded to a US-led consortium of Kiewit, Stacey Witbeck and Herzog, which will be responsible for installing track, overhead electrification, train control and communications systems.
The award follows the completion of tracklaying at a 61ha facility in Kern County, which will act as a logistics hub for the distribution of rail and other key materials. The phased contract structure is designed to allow systems installation to begin as civil works are completed on individual sections, helping to accelerate project delivery.
The procurement process began in November 2025. To improve efficiency and reduce programme risks, the authority has already secured long-lead materials including rail, concrete sleepers and ballast. According to media reports, the contract is worth $US 3.5bn.
Currently, 275km of the high-speed line is under design or construction between Merced and Bakersfield. More than 129km of the alignment and 61 major structures have been completed.
“With the railhead track installation complete and many critical rail materials already under contract, we are now accelerating toward installing the first true high-speed rail track ever built in the Western Hemisphere and doing it in a way that delivers for California quickly, and economically,” says Ian Choudri, CHSRA CEO.
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