The California High Speed Rail Authority recently broke ground on the railhead outside Bakersfield, a segment called Construction Package 4, with a symbolic railroad spike.
The railhead will be a freight yard that receives materials for upcoming track-laying work. Workers first will preform subgrade preparation to prepare the site for the laying of ballast ties and rail.
“Today we’re recognizing the system’s progress and looking ahead as we advance important partnerships and track work that moves us closer to operations while putting Californians to work,” Ian Choudri, California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO, said. “We’re committed to working collaboratively and ultimately developing a modern, interstate high-speed rail network that will not only boost ridership in the Southwest part of the country but bring to the forefront the possibility of delivering high-speed rail benefits sooner.”
There are 171 miles of rail under development with more than 25 active construction sites in the Central Valley. The railhead is located on a 22-mile stretch of planned high-speed rail between Poplar Avenue in Wasco, approximately one mile south of the Kern/Tulare County line.
It also is the southernmost section currently under construction. Work such as constructing viaducts, overpasses, and underpasses already has been completed.