...
By Marni Rose McFall
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
California High-Speed Rail was showcased to the public this week as the rail authority opened its first-ever interactive exhibit at the California State Fair in Sacramento.
Visitors to the fair explored mock-ups of the trains, which are currently under construction in California.
The Context
The California State Fair is an annual event held in Sacramento, California, showing off the state's agricultural, industrial and cultural achievements.
Read More on News
California High-Speed Rail (CAHSR) is a major infrastructure project aimed at creating a fast rail system that will connect the major cities across California, significantly transforming the state's transportation landscape.
...
What We Know
At the fair, visitors were invited to walk through the life-size mock-ups of train interiors, look at 3D renderings and models of the planned Central Valley stations and more.
Kyle Simerly, an information officer for the California High-Speed Rail Authority, told Newsweek that the event was: "The culmination of years of construction progress, outreach, and community collaboration to make sure these trains and this system mirrors the diversity and vibrancy of the people who'll ride it."
He said 50,000 people visited the exhibit, stating: "Reception was enthusiastic, especially for our commitment to accessibility and diverse and sustainable travel options."
The 3D models show preliminary designs of four central valley stations, Merced, Fresno the Kings Tulare station and Bakersfield.
The construction project began in 2015 and the project has created 13,000 jobs.
The fair also included a virtual reality helmet that gave users an experience of being a welder, which was courtesy of Iron Workers Local 118.
One visitor, Kevin Doyen stated: "I'd love to have a high-speed rail. That would be nice."
There was also a play area at the fair for children.
Another visitor, Cheryl Mckeag, said the seats were "so comfortable," while Ruben Pena said he would take the train to visit family.
The CAHSR project has been divided into two primary phases.
Phase 1 aims to connect San Francisco to Los Angeles through the Central Valley, spanning approximately 494 miles. This phase includes a critical 171-mile segment currently under construction between Merced and Bakersfield, with 119 miles actively being built.
Completion is expected upon the initiation of passenger service, which is slated for between 2030 and 2033. The project plans for trains to run at speeds up to 220 miles per hour, enabling a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles in under three hours​.
...
Phase 2 plans to extend the system north from Merced to Sacramento and south from Los Angeles to San Diego, ultimately creating an 800-mile network. This phase, however, has not yet secured full funding and faces significant financial and logistical challenges​
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement shared on California High-Speed Rail's website: "California is leading the way on high-speed rail for the nation. We have 119-miles of construction in the Central Valley, dispatching [over a thousand] workers daily. With top speeds of 220 miles per hour to connect San Francisco to Los Angeles in under 3 hours, we're working to transform transportation in California."
What's Next?
The project has faced numerous delays and cost overruns. Originally estimated at $40 billion, it's now projected to cost between $88 billion and $128 billion.
Simerly told Newsweek that: "As with many megaprojects, the high-speed rail project is being built in building blocks as funding becomes available.
"Trainset procurement is moving into its next phase, transitioning from vision to reality."
Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com
Update 08/01/24 at 5:52 a.m. ET; This article was updated with comments from the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
Update 08/05/24 at 5:40 a.m. ET; This article was updated to include images from the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines