Calif. high-speed rail authority awards bid for next segment
The Authority determined that Dragados/Flatiron/Shimmick, who bid $1.2 billion, was the “apparent best value,” for the 65-mile segment from Fresno to North of Bakersfield.
Rendering of California High Speed Rail project segment in Fresno, Calif. CHSRA
2 min to read
Rendering of California High Speed Rail project segment in Fresno, Calif. CHSRA
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has identified Dragados/Flatiron/Shimmick as the apparent best value team for the design-build contract for the next 65-mile segment from Fresno to North of Bakersfield.
The Authority has estimated the cost of the segment, Construction Package 2-3 (CP 2-3), to be between $1.5 billion to $2 billion. The Authority determined that Dragados/Flatiron/Shimmick, who bid $1.2 billion, was the “apparent best value.” The ranking and scores for all three proposals are attached.
Ad Loading...
The segment will extend in excess of 65 miles from the terminus of Construction Package 1 at East American Avenue in Fresno to one mile north of the Kern-Tulare County line. The project includes approximately 36 grade separations in the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kings, including viaducts, underpasses and overpasses.
“Today is a significant milestone as we continue building the nation’s first high-speed rail system,” said Authority CEO Jeff Morales. “The proposals underscore the value of world class competition and the design-build approach to deliver high-speed rail in California.”
In the competitive bidding process, three teams submitted proposals to the Authority for the design-build contract. Design-build combines project design and construction into a single contract. The proposals were evaluated and ranked based on 30% for technical merit and 70% for cost. Factors such as an understanding of the project, schedule capacity, project approach and safety were part of the technical scoring.
In October 2013, the Authority issued a Request for Qualifications for potential design-build teams interested in the contract. Five teams were qualified and began competing for the contract. On October 30, 2014, three teams submitted their proposals, which were reviewed by an evaluation panel comprised of California state personnel.
The Authority will continue to work through the ongoing procurement process and a contract will be presented to the Authority’s Board of Directors in the coming weeks.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
This final component of the 2 Line will cross Lake Washington and connect with the 1 Line at International District/Chinatown Station, creating a fully integrated regional light rail system.
Expected to enter service in 2029, these locomotives support the agency’s commitment to offer reliable and efficient rail transportation across South Florida.
