This 33.9-mile section of the California High Speed Rail includes 40 structures and is targeted for completion in two years. The northern-most section of the Merced-Bakersfield segment, it was identified as the top priority by Governor Gavin Newsom.
California High Speed Rail is an ambitious project approved by voters in 2008 connecting Southern and Northern California. The Initial Operating Segment runs from Bakersfield to Merced. Madera to Merced is the northern segment of the IOS, and will connect with Sacramento to the north and San Jose to the west in future developments.
Maximum train speeds will be about 220 miles per hour (350 km/h) in the dedicated HSR segments. Once the full Phase 1 system opens, the nonstop trains between San Francisco and Los Angeles – which are about 350 miles (560 km) apart by air – must not exceed 2 hours and 40 minutes travel time.
The high-speed rail system is anticipated to provide environmental benefits by reducing pollution and carbon emissions, traffic benefits by improving passenger travel, and reducing vehicular traffic and air travel congestion, and economic benefits, especially in the Central Valley.
Zephyr Rail is providing engineering design including roadway design, grade separations, and CADD services using the latest OpenRail software by Bentley.