The High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency selected HDR to lead engineering, design, and advisory services for a landmark intercity passenger rail line connecting Palmdale and Victorville, Calif.

The proposed 54-mile corridor is designed to operate up to 180 miles per hour, creating a fast, high-capacity link between Los Angeles County’s Antelope Valley and the future Brightline West station in San Bernardino County. This key east-west alignment will connect California’s planned high-speed rail system and regional and national networks, including eventual access to Las Vegas, Northern California, and beyond.

A Vision for Enhanced Mobility, Regional Growth

Once completed, the High Desert Corridor (HDC) rail project will unlock new mobility options, providing access to jobs, housing, and cultural opportunities for communities with limited transportation options. 

As a future multimodal hub, the Palmdale terminus is expected to connect with local transit, Metrolink, California High-Speed Rail, and ultimately Brightline West.

“The High Desert Corridor will improve connectivity and accessibility for millions of travelers, generate billions in economic activity, and open new opportunities for the whole region,” said Girair Kotchian, HDR’s project manager. “It’s a privilege to be involved with such a momentous project for Southern California.”

Scope of HDR’s Five-Year Contract

HDR’s selection follows the agency’s goal of assembling a multidisciplinary team with a proven track record in delivering complex, large-scale rail infrastructure. 

Under the five-year contract, HDR will lead a wide range of services, including:

• Rail alignment and systems design.

• Station and operations & maintenance (O&M) facility planning.

• Environmental support and impact mitigation.

• Bridge and civil infrastructure design.

• Systems integration and corridor-wide planning.

• Right-of-way coordination.

• Stakeholder engagement and risk management.

• Procurement support and contract administration.

“Delivering the engineering and advisory services associated with the High Desert Corridor requires a multidisciplinary team that can maximize a broad array of opportunities and tackle diverse challenges with resilience, technical expertise, and unwavering focus,” said Matt Tucker, HDR’s global transit director. “We have an exceptional team gathered with world-class expertise in large-scale transit corridors. This is great news for Southern California and the future of high-speed rail in the United States.”

Timeline and Next Steps

The HDC project is currently in the preliminary engineering and environmental documentation phase. 

Construction is expected to begin in the early 2030s, positioning the corridor as a vital component in expanding the state’s high-speed and intercity rail infrastructure.

The partnership between the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency and HDR marks a pivotal milestone for rail development in the West. It sets the stage for transformative transportation solutions that will reshape regional connectivity for decades to come.