Fall 2022 Edition
The California High-Speed Rail Authority Fall 2022 Construction Update highlights continued progress being made on the nation’s first high-speed rail project. Highlights include recent milestones, and completion of three high-speed rail grade separations. The video also includes updates on new drone footage and updates across all Central Valley high-speed rail construction.
Since the start of construction, the California high-speed rail project has created nearly 9,000 construction jobs, a majority of which go directly to those living in the Central Valley. There are currently 171 miles under development and construction in the Central Valley with more than 30 active construction sites.
Updates Per Project
CP 4: Wasco Viaduct
Ironworkers are working hard tying rebar across the Wasco Viaduct. Crews are tying rebar to form the deck on the northern and southern portions of the pergola. Concrete has also been placed to form the edge beams of the Wasco Viaduct where girders were installed. More than 1,500 cubic yards of concrete were placed to form the two remaining edge beams and more than 1,400 cubic yards will be needed for the two remaining decks of the structure.
CP 2-3: Tule River Viaduct
In Tulare County, crews continue to erect falsework across the pergola section of the Tule River Viaduct. North of the structure, ironworkers have begun tying rebar for the lower edge beams of the pergola section. The Tule River Viaduct is located south of Avenue 144 / Poplar Avenue and State Route 43, to the south of the Tule River. When complete, the structure will be more than 3,573 feet long.
CP 2-3: Kent Avenue Grade Separation
On Oct. 12, 2022, the Kent Avenue Grade Separation was opened to traffic in Kings County. The Kent Avenue Grade Separation is located west of State Route 43 and south of Hanford. The overcrossing is 215 feet long, 35-feet wide, and takes traffic over the future high-speed rail tracks. To complete the structure, 12 pre-cast concrete girders spanning 56 feet to 91- feet long were placed to form the deck of the structure.
CP 2-3: Jackson Avenue Grade Separation
On Sept. 15, 2022, the Jackson Avenue Grade Separation was opened to traffic in Kings County. This is the first structure to be completed in Kings County. The new overcrossing is located between State Route 43 and Seventh Avenue, south of the city of Hanford. It is 212-feet long, 32-feet wide and takes traffic over the future high-speed rail tracks.
CP 2-3: Hanford Viaduct
In August, crews began placing pre-cast concrete girders for the superstructure of the Hanford Viaduct. Each wide flange girder ranges in size between 53 to 74-feet long and weighs between 60,000 to 90,000 pounds. As many as 14 girders will be placed between each span of columns, and more than 900 girders will be needed all together. As of Oct. 1, 2022, more than 130 girders have been placed across 15 spans of columns.
CP 2-3: Conejo Viaduct
Throughout the spring and summer, crews have placed 246 of the needed 248 pre-cast concrete girders for the pergola section of the Conejo Viaduct. To the south of the pergola, crews have tied rebar and placed concrete to form portions of an intrusion protection barrier – or IPB wall – that will allow high-speed trains to travel safely in the proximity of the BNSF railroad tracks.
More than 12,000 cubic yards of concrete have been placed to date to form the IPB wall that spans more than 3,400 feet wide, 40 feet tall, and up to five feet thick. When complete, it will help provide added safety between the high-speed rail and freight rail lines.
CP 1: Cedar Viaduct
Over the summer, the arch cables between the double arches of the Cedar Viaduct were stressed. Shortly after, crews worked overnight to remove the falsework from underneath the structure that spans over State Route 99. Additional concrete will be placed to shape the parapet walls on top of the structure.
CP 1: Tulare Street Underpass
Progress continues at the Tulare Street Underpass between downtown Fresno and Fresno’s Chinatown. The G Street bridge is nearly completed. Post-tensioning of the bridge has been completed, falsework has been removed, and the concrete to form the barrier and sidewalk has been placed. Crews are now putting the finishing touches, including paving and installing streetlights, on the bridge for traffic. The G Street bridge should be open to the public soon. When complete, the Tulare Street Underpass will be 22 feet below grade and will include pedestrian access.
CP 1: Belmont Avenue Grade Separation
The Belmont Avenue Grade Separation is the newest construction site in Construction Package 1. Community meetings in English and Spanish were held over the summer to inform the public and key stakeholders regarding the latest structure. Work has kicked off on the west side of the Union Pacific tracks and utility relocations continue on the east side.
CP 1: Avenue 15 1/2 Grade Separation
The Avenue 15 1/2 Grade Separation is the latest structure to be opened to traffic in Construction Package 1. The overpass structure is located at Road 29 / Santa Fe Drive, east of the city of Madera. It took 16 pre-cast girders and nearly 120 pre-cast concrete deck panels to complete the structure. The structure spans 468 feet long and 40 feet wide and takes traffic over the existing BNSF rail and future high-speed rail lines.