Herzog to assist in build of first high-speed rail track and systems in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KQTV) -- The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors approved the launch of the initial phase of the nation's largest track and systems installation efforts, which involves a local company.

Herzog, along with California-based construction company Stacy Witbeck and Kiewit, another construction company, will install the track, overhead contact system, train control and communications infrastructure needed to transform the 119 miles of guideway completed in the Central Valley into an electrified high-speed rail system capable of speeds up to 220 miles per hour.

"Bringing on board the team that will build California's high-speed rail track and systems marks the moment this program transforms from major civil construction into delivering an operating railway," said Ian Choudri, Authority CEO. "With the railhead track installation complete and many critical rail materials already under contract, we are now accelerating toward installing the first true high-speed rail track ever built in the Western Hemisphere and doing it in a way that delivers for California quickly, and economically."

The Track and Systems Construction Contract covers the 119 miles currently under construction in the Central Valley, and extends north and south into the future Merced and Bakersfield extensions.

Authority said work continues daily on the high-speed rail project, with 171 miles currently under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield.

More than 80 miles of guideway are complete, along with 60 fully completed major structures and 30 more structures underway across Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties.

The project continues to advance statewide across California, with 463 miles of the 494-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim system fully environmentally cleared and construction ready, according to Authority.

Throughout construction, the project has created nearly 19,200 jobs and generated $25 billion in economic impact and growth across the state. Up to 1,700 workers report to high-speed rail construction sites each day.