Padilla Applauds $6 Billion Investment in High-Speed Rail Service in California

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) Dec. 5 applauded the Federal Railroad Administration’s announcement that over $6 billion in grants to rail projects serving California were awarded through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program, which provides capital funding for projects to modernize, improve and expand intercity rail services. This investment includes $3.1 billion for the California High-Speed Rail Authority, funding projects in Bakersfield, Hanford, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Selma, Shafter and Wasco, California.

In April, Padilla, the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11), and Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21) led 32 California lawmakers in calling on the Department of Transportation to issue these grants to the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

The $3.1 billion in funding for the California High-Speed Rail Authority will support activities including:

• Final design and right-of-way acquisition for the Merced extension from Madera to Merced
• Bakersfield extension from Poplar Avenue in Shafter to Bakersfield
• Civil, track, and systems construction for the 13-mile Bakersfield Interim extension
• Design and construction of Fresno Station
• Design and procurement of trainsets, as well as design and construction of trainset facilities

Padilla also applauded the additional $3 billion awarded to the Brightline West Project, which will connect California and Nevada.

The $3 billion in funding for the Brightline West Project will support the establishment of a new 218-mile intercity passenger rail system between Las Vegas, Nevada and Rancho Cucamonga, California by funding right-of-way acquisition, final design, and construction activities for the high-speed rail tracks, four stations and facilities, signal system, rolling stock, roadway modifications, and other associated infrastructure.

Earlier this year, Senators Padilla and Feinstein announced over $200 million in grants for the California High-Speed Rail Authority through the Department of Transportation’s consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements grant program.