CHSRA Advances Major Construction Procurement

CHSRA

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Merced to Madera civil works collaborative design build contract.

The procurement is a step toward “major expansion of active high-speed rail construction,” says CHSRA. Track installation is expected to begin later this year, and a solicitation is underway to identify a clean energy public-private partnership. The $2.4 billion contract covers major civil work, including construction of structures, improvements to roadways, and grading. According to the release, the procurement follows a collaborative design build process, referring to the work between the Authority and competing teams during the project’s development, in which they will refine the design, improve costs and the schedule, and reduce risk before a final contractor is chosen.

This summer, CHSRA says solicitation for this procurement will be issued. By the end of 2026, two teams will be shortlisted, and early collaboration will follow. Major construction for this segment is slated to begin in late 2027 and continue through 2030.

CHSRA CEO Ian Choudri said, “With this action, we’re accelerating the work needed to bring clean, electrified high-speed rail to more of the people of California – starting with Merced. Delivering an operating Central Valley segment is a key step toward ultimately connecting California’s major population centers in the north and south. As we prepare to begin track installation later this year and launch the next phase of construction, Californians will begin to see the system take shape. By advancing this link and pursing new clean energy public-private partnership opportunities, we’re building momentum and strengthening the long-term financial sustainability of high-speed rail.”

Additionally, the Board of Directors received an update on the solicitation of a Cal CLEAN Partnership Agreement. This is focused on securing clean and reliable power for future high-speed operations. This coincides with the “recently executed rail infrastructure Co-Development Agreement with Momentum Alliance Partners, LLC.” This looks at potential opportunities to accelerate project delivery. CHSRA says under this solicitation, the selected public-private partner will work six months to identify clean energy and commercialization potential concepts at no cost to CHSRA before any other future developments have been considered. This is an exploratory phase that will identify opportunities to help strengthen energy resiliency and “maximize the value of public infrastructure investments.” Statements of Qualifications are expected to take place this summer, then a partner will be identified and recommended in August. In September 2026, a project identification agreement will be targeted and launch the first phase of support for CHSRA’s future energy and operational needs.