This agreement will fund preliminary engineering design phase efforts that include completing the configuration footprint (a minimum of 30 design), conducting value engineering, refining the costs for…

This Cooperative Agreement awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration under the National Infrastructure Investments (CFDA 20.933) program will provide $41,000,000 in funding for preliminary engineering and design efforts related to the Merced Extension of the California High-Speed Rail System. The key activities to be completed under this award include:

• Finalizing the configuration and design footprint (minimum 30% design)
• Conducting value engineering
• Refining cost estimates for construction
• Mapping right-of-way and identifying utility relocation and third-party agreements

These preliminary efforts will ultimately support the construction of a high-speed, electric-powered train system linking the Central Valley communities of Merced, Madera, Fresno, and Bakersfield. The award has an initial period of performance from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2026. The California High-Speed Rail Authority has been identified as the awardee for this Cooperative Agreement.

This agreement will fund preliminary engineering design phase efforts that include completing the configuration footprint (a minimum of 30 design), conducting value engineering, refining the costs for construction, mapping right-of-way, identifying utility relocation agreements, and other necessary third-party agreements for the construction of the merced extension of the california HSR system. Ultimately, these efforts will result in the construction of a high-speed, electric powered train system linking the central valley communities of merced, madera, fresno and bakersfield that relieves highway and rail capacity constraints along central valley highway and rail transportation corridors.