Designing California’s Central Valley high-speed rail stations and establishing a system-wide station kit of parts

Designing to connect communities

High-speed rail will serve as the backbone of the state’s modern transportation network, linking together the diverse cultural and economic hubs across California.

The JV is applying local knowledge combined with its global high-speed rail station experience to refine a systemwide kit of parts to design the four Central Valley stations. The JV is providing architectural and engineering design services for each station site:

• Merced: Building on the historical link between Merced and Yosemite Valley and the energy of the growth of the newest University of California campus, UC Merced, travelers across the state will readily access both with high-speed rail.
• Fresno: The connectivity provided by the Fresno station is statewide and local with an important link provided between Fresno’s Chinatown and Downtown, catalyzing future economic growth and investment.
• Kings/Tulare: A short distance away from Hanford’s downtown, the Kings/Tulare station is positioned to accommodate the region's planned growth and will have streamlined connectivity to transportation by bus, auto, foot, bicycle, and future local rail. 
• Bakersfield: Located in an under-used area adjacent to Bakersfield’ s downtown, the station will provide an opportunity to expand the City’s core as activity grows around this southern terminus of California High-Speed Rail’s Initial Operating Segment. 

Beneficial station design responds to the needs of the passengers, rail operators, and the surrounding communities. In supporting the Authority’s outreach program, engaging with city governments and regional agencies, holding open houses, sharing information at civic events, and convening one-on-one meetings with community-based organizations, the JV team is listening and responding to the needs and aspirations of the communities. The project team took part in a series of public ‘open house’ sessions in June 2024 with local communities, businesses, agencies, and other key stakeholders, which will inform the development of the station designs.

Supporting California’s economic development

By linking together cities throughout California, the system will serve as a lever for positive economic growth for communities along the route. The Central Valley, with an economy in need of expansion, is set to become the first region to unlock the benefits of California’s high-speed rail. The construction of the first four stations will create thousands of jobs and its future operation will contribute to the mobility and vitality of the region and its connection to the rest of California.

To elevate California businesses during construction and design of the California High-Speed Rail, the JV has been supporting the Authority’s Small Business Program. The station design team includes small, disabled, disadvantaged, and diverse businesses from across the state, driving business growth through job creation and workforce development.

These subconsultants who have worked with the JV include Auriga Corporation, Bio Studio LLC, Blackburn Consulting, Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group, Inc., Environmental Review Partners, Inc., FMG + Company, HMH Engineers, ICF, JMA Civil, Inc., Leland Saylor Associates, Studio-MLA, O’Dell Engineering Inc., Soar Environmental Consulting, Inc., VRPA Technologies, Inc., Wilson Ihrig, PBS Engineers, Inc., GVK Elevator Consulting Services, Inc., Nabih Youssef & Associates, Robin Chiang & Company, Azad Engineer, VIATechnik, Aquatic Studio, Oculus, DRB Associates, PAX Environmental, Josephine’s Professional Staffing, Inc., Rowecon Group, CS Caulkins, Debra G Jones, Cross Spectrum Acoustics, Janet Kim Group LLC, Arroyo Irrigation, Quality Engineers, Inc.

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