|
specify
|
→Initial Operating Segment (IOS): clarify
|
||
Line 101:
The scope of the IOS has changed several times in the project's history. In 2012 it was planned to run from Merced through Bakersfield to Burbank (just north of Los Angeles), a distance of about {{convert|300|mi|km}}. This would have closed a major gap in California intercity rail services, as the existing ''San Joaquins'' terminates at Bakersfield and does not continue on to Los Angeles.<ref name="2012 Business Plan"/> In 2016, due to changes in funding and financing plans,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hsr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/docs/about/legislative_affairs/SB1029_Project_Update_Report_050119.pdf|title=Project Update Report to the California State Legislature|publisher=[[California High-Speed Rail Authority]]|date=May 2019|access-date=March 12, 2024|archive-date=March 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314030451/https://www.hsr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/docs/about/legislative_affairs/SB1029_Project_Update_Report_050119.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> the Authority changed the IOS to a northern segment between San Jose and Bakersfield, the "Silicon Valley to Central Valley line".<ref name="2016 Business Plan">{{cite web|url=https://hsr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/docs/about/business_plans/2016_BusinessPlan.pdf|title=Connecting and Transforming California: 2016 Business Plan|publisher=[[California High-Speed Rail Authority]]|date=May 1, 2016|access-date=March 12, 2024|archive-date=March 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314030454/https://hsr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/docs/about/business_plans/2016_BusinessPlan.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2023, the IOS had been determined as the current definition of {{convert|171|mi|km}} from Merced to Bakersfield in the Central Valley, with {{convert|119|mi|km}} under active construction.<ref name="2023 Project Update Report">{{cite web|url=https://hsr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-Project-Update-Report-FINAL-022823.pdf|title=2023 Project Update Report|publisher=[[California High-Speed Rail Authority]]|access-date=March 12, 2024|archive-date=February 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216093925/https://hsr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-Project-Update-Report-FINAL-022823.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> If additional funding becomes available, the Authority still intends to construct the northern Bay Area connection before the southern connection to Los Angeles.<ref name="2024 Business Plan"/>
Construction on the IOS began with a groundbreaking in Fresno on January 6, 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/07/california-breaks-ground-high-speed-rail-project|title=California breaks ground on high-speed rail project but completion not assured|work=[[The Guardian]]|last=Carroll|first=Rory|date=January 7, 2015|access-date=March 12, 2024|archive-date=March 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314030448/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/07/california-breaks-ground-high-speed-rail-project|url-status=live}}</ref> The first 119 miles, stretching from [[Madera, California|Madera]] south to [[Shafter, California|Shafter]] (about {{convert|20|mi|km}} northwest of Bakersfield), are being constructed under four [[design-build]] contracts (titled "construction packages").<ref name="construction packages"/> These include constructing the [[railroad grade]], viaducts, road overpasses and underpasses — including for private citizens<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bowden |first1=Bridgit |last2=Johnson |first2=Shawn |title=The High-Speed Rail Debate Persists In California |url=https://www.wpr.org/derailed/high-speed-rail-debate-persists-california |access-date=March 18, 2024 |work=[[National Public Radio]] |date=October 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105083718/https://www.wpr.org/derailed/high-speed-rail-debate-persists-california |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |language=en |quote=the rail authority agreed to build Dejong an underpass}}</ref> — and other structures along the route, but not the track itself.<ref name="construction packages">{{cite web|url=https://hsr.ca.gov/business-opportunities/contract-opportunities/design-build-construction-packages/|title=Design-Build Construction Packages|publisher=[[California High-Speed Rail Authority]]|access-date=March 12, 2024|archive-date=March 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314030448/https://hsr.ca.gov/business-opportunities/contract-opportunities/design-build-construction-packages/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2022, the Authority approved design contracts for the remaining
In October 2022, the Authority approved a design contract for the Merced, Fresno, Kings/Tulare and Bakersfield stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hsr.ca.gov/2022/10/20/news-release-california-high-speed-rail-board-awards-design-contract-for-central-valley-stations/|title=California High-Speed Rail Board Awards Design Contract for Central Valley Stations|publisher=[[California High-Speed Rail Authority]]|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=March 12, 2024|archive-date=September 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929101647/https://hsr.ca.gov/2022/10/20/news-release-california-high-speed-rail-board-awards-design-contract-for-central-valley-stations/|url-status=live}}</ref> Planning for the Madera station is occurring under a separate agreement with the [[San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cdn.sjjpa.com/wp-content/uploads/20231122140306/Madera-HSR-Station-Full-Build_NOP_2023-11-22_FINAL.pdf|title=Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report: Madera High Speed Rail (HSR) Station Full-Build Project (Phase 3)|publisher=San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority|access-date=March 12, 2024|archive-date=March 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314030453/https://cdn.sjjpa.com/wp-content/uploads/20231122140306/Madera-HSR-Station-Full-Build_NOP_2023-11-22_FINAL.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The construction contract for track and electrical power systems on the IOS<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hsr.ca.gov/business-opportunities/contract-opportunities/track-systems/|title=Track & Systems|publisher=[[California High-Speed Rail Authority]]|access-date=March 12, 2024|archive-date=March 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314030449/https://hsr.ca.gov/business-opportunities/contract-opportunities/track-systems/|url-status=live}}</ref> is expected in 2024-2025.<ref name="2024 Business Plan"/> As of February 2024, construction packages 1–3 were more than 70 percent complete and construction package 4 was at 98 percent.<ref name="2024 Business Plan"/> The full Merced–Bakersfield line was expected to be complete in 2029, with passenger service starting around 2030–2033.<ref name="2023 Project Update Report"/>
| |||