Spring Construction Update

The winter months have come and gone and like the spring progress is in full bloom on the California High-Speed Rail project.

CP 1: Avenue 15 1/2 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the Avenue 15 ½ Grade Separation, crews have completed construction of the substructure including columns and bent caps. Concrete has been placed at the east abutment and crews are now forming the west abutment. Girders will be set for the superstructure later this Spring. When complete, the Avenue 15 ½ Grade Separation will be 468-feet long, and 40-feet wide and will take trains over BNSF and future high-speed rail lines.

CP 1: Tulare Street Underpass | Fresno

Between downtown and Fresno’s Chinatown, progress continues on the Tulare Street underpass. Both tracks of the Union Pacific railroad have been cutover to the shoofly, a temporary track built for the construction of the grade separation. Also, the west approach retaining walls and excavation under G Street is now complete. Crews have also installed the falsework for the G Street Bridge, placed concrete to form the bridge deck, and are now preparing to begin post-tensioning the ducts inside the bridge deck.

CP 1: Cedar Viaduct | Fresno

The arches at the Cedar Viaduct continue to take shape. To date, crews have placed more than 225 cubic-yards of concrete to form three of the four arches that span over State Route 99. Concrete to form the fourth and final arch will be placed later this spring. To the south of the Cedar Viaduct, embankment continues to be hauled and mechanically-stabilized earth (MSE) walls continue to go up bringing the Cedar Viaduct and structure at Muscat Avenue together.

CP 2-3: Adams Avenue Grade Separation | Fresno County

At Adams Avenue in Fresno County, crews recently installed 16 concrete pre-cast girders to form the superstructure of the Adams Avenue Grade Separation. Now, crews are gearing up to set pre-cast concrete panels to form the deck of the structure while ironworkers tie rebar for the diaphragms, the supporting portion of a bridge that goes between each girder to help prevent girders from rotating and to help distribute vertical load distribution.

CP 2-3: South Avenue Grade Separation | Fresno County

South Avenue is open to traffic! Last month, the Authority in collaboration with design-build contractor Dragados-Flatiron Joint Venture (DFJV), announced the completion of the South Avenue Grade Separation. Located between Cedar and Maple Avenues, the newly constructed overpass allows traffic to travel over the existing BNSF Railway and future high-speed rail lines. It is one of 36 grade separations being built in Construction Package 2-3 to improve safety along the high-speed rail alignment. The South Avenue Grade Separation spans nearly 390 feet and is 40 feet wide.

CP 2-3: Conejo Viaduct | Fresno County

Crews are working late nights and on weekends to install 248 pre-cast concrete girders needed for the pergola section of the Conejo Viaduct. As of March 1, crews have installed 33 girders that span nearly 124-feet long and weigh more than 150,000 lbs. each.

CP 2-3: Dover Avenue Overcrossing | Kings County

This Spring, 12 pre-cast concrete girders will be placed to form the superstructure of the Dover Avenue Overcrossing which will take traffic over the future high-speed rail lines. These girders will range from 62-feet to 91-feet long and weigh as much as 89,000 lbs. When complete, the overcrossing will be 227-feet long and more than 43-feet wide.

CP 2-3: Tule River Viaduct | Tulare County

In Tulare County, crews have completed more than 100 Cast-in-Drilled-Holes to provide the foundation of the Tule River Viaduct. CIDH piles can be as large as 11-feet in diameter and are drilled up to 200-feet deep. Across the structure, crews are installing rebar and placing concrete to form the footings and future columns. As of Spring 2022, 32 of the 75 columns of needed for the Tule River Viaduct are now complete. Crews will be gearing up to install the falsework necessary to form the pergola section of the structure later this spring.

CP 4: McCombs Road | Kern County

In Construction Package 4, the year kicked off with crews completing the installation of 15 pre-cast girders to form the superstructure of the McCombs Road Grade Separation. Work was completed over the four nights. Crews are now working on other superstructure elements and are preparing to place concrete for the abutment diaphragms. When the abutment diaphragms are formed, crews will begin installing 360 pre-cast concrete deck panels on top of the superstructure. When complete, the McCombs Road Grade Separation will be 415-feet long and will take traffic over, State Route 43, existing BNSF rail lines, and future high-speed rail lines.

CP 4: Wasco Viaduct | Kern County

Throughout January and February, carpenters and ironworkers continued working on the remaining edge girder sections of the Wasco Viaduct. Crews are now performing post-tensioning activities to reinforce the concrete before the last four girders are installed on the south side of the pergola structure. The viaducts on the north and south side of the structure are expected to be complete this spring. When complete, the Wasco Viaduct will be nearly 2,000 feet long.

CP 4: Peterson Road Bridge | Kern County

The Peterson Road Bridge is nearly complete. Final touches are being put on the structure and crews will commence with constructing the embankments on the north and south sides of the bridge. In the coming weeks, Peterson Road will be striped and opened for traffic. The Peterson Road Bridge will take high-speed trains over traffic and will be more than 153-feet long and 52-feet wide.

CP 4: Kimberlina Viaduct | Kern County

In March, crews completed the lower deck of the Kimberlina Viaduct by placing 560 cubic-yards of concrete in the span of seven hours. Crews will start working on the stem walls by continuing to tie rebar and placing concrete throughout the spring. When complete, the Kimberlina Viaduct will be 110-feet long and will take high-speed trains over traffic.

2021 Progress

The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s November 2021 Construction Update highlights the progress being made on the nation’s first high-speed rail project. With more completed projects and significant advancement on others, there is steady progress across all high-speed rail construction packages from Madera to Wasco. Featured structures include the Road 27 Grade Separation, Cedar Viaduct, Hanford Viaduct, Tule River Viaduct, and the Wasco Viaduct, among others.

CP 1: Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

Crews celebrated the completion of the Road 27 overcrossing in Madera County late this summer. The grade separation is located between Avenue 17 and Club Drive north of the City of Madera, and is one of nine grade separations in Madera County built to take traffic over the existing BNSF rail and future high-speed rail lines. The completed structure spans 636 feet long in length and more than 43 feet wide, complete with pedestrian access.

CP 1: Tulare Street Underpass | Fresno

On the west side of the Union Pacific tracks near Fresno’s Chinatown, the abutment walls are up for the bridge that will cross over the Tulare Street underpass along G Street. Crews are also working on three retaining walls and a pump station that will help with drainage of water that may accumulate along the underpass. When complete, the Tulare Street Underpass will be 22 feet below grade and will include pedestrian access.

CP 1: Cedar Viaduct | Fresno

Drive on State Route 99 through the City of Fresno and you can see the dual-span of arches beginning to take shape at the Cedar Viaduct. Crews can be seen building the falsework on both sides of the structure. Soon, ironworkers will begin to tie rebar for the arches. Each arch will be nearly 179 feet long and nearly 40 feet tall.

CP 2-3: Adams Avenue Grade Separation | Fresno County

At Adams Avenue in Fresno County, crews continue to work on the substructure for the future grade separation. Crews are nearly complete with the five concrete footings, two abutment walls and columns needed for the substructure. Superstructure work for the bridge will begin in 2022. When complete, the Adams Avenue Grade Separation will be 357 feet long, more than 40 feet wide and will take traffic over the BNSF and future high-speed rail lines.

CP 2-3: Conejo Viaduct | Fresno County

At the Conejo Viaduct, crews continue to work on the edge beams of the pergola structure. To the south of the future pergola, the forms have already been stripped for the edge beams. Traveling north, crews continue to place concrete to form the edge beams. More than 1,000 cubic yards have been placed to date.

Tule River Viaduct | Near Corcoran

At the Tule River Viaduct south of the City of Corcoran, crews continue to excavate the bents by drilling cast-in-drilled holes (CIDH) for the foundation of the structure. You can see crews have already begun forming, installing rebar, and placing concrete for the columns on both sides of the BNSF rail line. Like other structures in Construction Package 2-3, the Tule River Viaduct will be a combination viaduct and pergola structure. More than 75 columns will need to be drilled and installed to carry high-speed trains over the existing BNSF rail line, State Route 43, and the Tule River. When complete, the Tule River Viaduct will be more than 3,573 feet long.

CP 4: Wasco Viaduct | Wasco

In September and October, crews worked late nights and weekends to place 40 girders to continue to form the pergola section of the Wasco Viaduct. Girders weighed in at more than 157,700 lbs. each with the longest girder spanning more than 135-feet long. More girders will be placed early next year. The pergola section of the Wasco Viaduct will allow high-speed trains to cross over the BNSF tracks.

CP 4: Kimberlina Road Viaduct | Wasco

Just south of the Wasco Viaduct, the Kimberlina Viaduct continues to take shape. Ironworkers are beginning to tie rebar for the deck of the structure. Concrete for the abutments and wingwalls have already been placed and concrete for the lower deck will be poured in the coming months.

CP 4: Peterson Road Bridge | Kern County

At Peterson, concrete for the stem walls has been placed. Currently, crews are installing post-tensioning strands which reinforces the concrete. Crews will begin pre-stressing the bridge deck in the coming weeks. When complete, the structure will be more than 153-feet long, 52-feet wide and will take high-speed trains over Peterson Road.

Station Site Planning Update

Delivering a station site at Fresno has launched, even amid the pandemic. The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) began conducting virtual meetings with multiple Fresno stakeholders in the fall and winter of 2020. So far, the Authority has hosted virtual workshops and collected feedback from City of Fresno staff, metropolitan planning organizations, non-profit organizations, business associations, and community advocates. The intent is to gather local preferences and feedback about the future of Fresno’s High-Speed Rail station; the process is ongoing and the Authority welcomes input from all community members.

What We’ve Heard So Far

Stakeholders have highlighted the importance of appreciating Fresno’s treasured and unique culture in the course of station design.

The three key themes were:

1. Encourage comfortable and quick pedestrian and bicycle connection between Downtown and Chinatown;
2. Highlight Chinatown’s diversity and food culture; and
3. Encourage many modes (transit, bikes, scooters, and walking) in the station area and ensure that parking is not a barrier to connectivity and access

In addition to providing responses to ideas about the station and access, stakeholders also provided suggestions for activities that could benefit the community before train service later this decade. Sites where “early activation” (or activities that deliver community benefits today) could occur were an important component of conversations to date. These early activities, many of which will be temporary, depend on local partnerships and community participation for successful implementation. Building activity in the short term helps us keep positive interest in and attention to our station site, builds economic activity (which depends on people), all of which feeds ridership to the system at the end of the decade.

Input continues to be important to us. Looking ahead in 2021, the Authority will advance station site planning and coordination in the Central Valley leading to initiation of design work for the station site facilities. We will be scheduling more stakeholder meetings: visit hsr.ca.gov/contact to sign up for our newsletter updates or contact us at central.valley@hsr.ca.gov.

CP 1: Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

Work continues at the Road 27 Grade Separation in Madera County. On the north side of the structure, crews hauled more than 100,000 cubic yards of dirt to form the slope of the structure. At the most northern abutment, crews are working on joint sealing the abutment with concrete. Crews will then begin to pave the road with asphalt later this summer. When complete, the Road 27 Grade Separation will be 636-feet long, 43-feet wide and will take traffic and pedestrians over the existing BNSF and future high-speed rail lines.

CP 1: Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct in Fresno County, crews are installing the metal pan decking across the superstructure spanning over State Route 99. To the south, crews are working on tying rebar and removing forms for the parapet – or safety barrier – on top of the structure. When complete, the Cedar Viaduct will span nearly 3,700 feet long and will carry high-speed trains over State Route 99, North Avenue, Cedar Avenue, and Golden State Boulevard.

CP 2-3: Conejo Viaduct | Fresno County

At the Conejo Viaduct in Fresno County, crews are installing falsework for the edge beams of the superstructure, the portion of the structure that will carry high-speed trains over the BNSF tracks. To the south, ironworkers can be seen tying rebar for the lower edge beams where falsework has been installed. Ironworkers will continue to move north as falsework is installed.

CP 2-3: Fargo Avenue Grade Separation | Kings County

At Fargo Avenue in Kings County, crews can be seen working on the bent caps that sit atop the columns of the future grade separation. Crews have completed hauling dirt for the slope on the east side of the structure. When complete, Fargo Avenue will be realigned slightly north atop of the overcrossing and will take traffic over the future high-speed rail lines.

CP 2-3: Hanford Viaduct | Kings County

At the Hanford Viaduct, crews are working on the abutments – the structure that connects the deck of the structure to the ground - at the most northern and southern portions of the structure. Going south, crews are nearly complete erecting 286 columns needed to form the substructure of the viaduct that will connect to the future Kings / Tulare Station. Hanford Viaduct is the largest high-speed rail structure in the Central Valley spanning nearly 6,330 feet long. When complete it will carry high-speed trains over Grangeville Boulevard, San Joaquin Valley Railroad, and State Route 198.

CP 4: Peterson Road Bridge | Kern County

At Peterson Road in Kern County, crews are beginning work on the superstructure by installing forms for the girder walls. Bridge reinforcement and post tensioning apparatuses are also being set into the bridge structure to be stressed later this year. When complete, the structure will be more than 153-feet long, 52-feet wide and will take high-speed trains over Peterson Road.

CP 4: Kimberlina Road Viaduct | Kern County

Kimberlina Road is now closed between Shafter Avenue and State Route 43 in Kern County for work on the Kimberlina Viaduct. The abutment walls are up and crews are now preparing to begin work on the superstructure that will carry high-speed trains over Kimberlina Road. When complete, the viaduct will span 110-feet long.

A New Perspective

A lot of attention has been give to our more visible projects-- like the recently completed San Joaquin River Viaduct, the Cedar Viaduct and Hanford Viaduct. These projects are both large in scope and in high-profile areas. However, in our latest construction update we focus more on some of the projects you may not have seen. And thanks to our new drone and recently certified drone pilot, we are giving you a new perspective that shows just how massive some of these projects really are.

CP 1: Ventura and Tulare Street Underpasses | Downtown Fresno

Major work is happening in downtown and Chinatown Fresno. Crews have kicked off work at the Tulare Street and Ventura Street underpasses. Both underpasses will serve as grade separations eliminating the current Union Pacific railroad crossings, allowing traffic to travel underneath the freight line and future high-speed rail lines. Both underpasses will be more than 20-feet below grade and will include pedestrian access.

CP 1: Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

In Construction Package 1, work is progressing at the Road 27 structure in Madera County. On the eastside of the structure, crews recently placed concrete to form the backwall of the structure. Crews continue to haul embankment on the west side of the structure and approximately 150,000 cubic yards of embankment fill has been hauled to date. Coming up, crews will be placing concrete to form 1,800 feet of concrete barrier along the bridge.

CP 2-3: Elkhorn Avenue | Fresno County

In anticipation for a full road closure along Elkhorn Avenue, crews conducted road work along the Fowler-Elkhorn bypass. Elkhorn Avenue, between Clovis and Fowler avenues in Fresno County will be closed for construction of an overcrossing through February 2023.

CP 2-3: South Avenue Grade Separation | Fresno County

With the deck and superstructure nearly complete at the South Avenue Grade Separation completed in Fresno County, crews are now paving the structure and installing guard rail along the structure. The intersection at South and Cedar avenues is still closed for roadwork. When complete, the South Avenue Grade Separation will take traffic over the existing BNSF and future high-speed rail lines.

CP 2-3: Davis Avenue Grade Separation | Fresno County

At Davis Avenue, crews are working on the mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) coping, the portion of the retaining wall that hides the top edge of the facing panels. Next, crews will proceed with installing falsework for the future overcrossing that will take traffic over the high-speed rail lines.

CP 2-3: State Route 43 | Fresno County

At State Route 43 in Fresno County, crews are working on the footings and columns on east side of SR 43 for the future Tied Arch Bridge. Ironworkers are finishing up rebar while carpenters are working on rebar spaces and dobles. Rebar spacers are used to reinforce rebar as its assembled in place. Wire dobles are used to suspend rebar in freshly poured concrete. Concrete will be placed to form the abutments of the structure in the near future.

CP 2-3: Tule River Viaduct | Tulare County

At the Tule River Viaduct in Tulare County, traffic has been rerouted to allow crews to begin substructure work including drilling and setting rebar cages for the future columns of the viaduct. More than 75 columns will need to be drilled and installed to carry high-speed trains over the existing BNSF rail line, State Route 43, and the Tule River. When complete, the Tule River Viaduct will be more than 3,573 feet long.

CP 4: Wasco Viaduct | Wasco

At Wasco Viaduct in Kern County, crews recently completed first concrete pour on the box girder section at the north side of the Wasco Viaduct. At the center of the viaduct, crews are working to bring the box section and pergola sections together. On the west side, crews are erecting falsework that will connect both sides together while on the east side, crews can be seen drilling and placing rebar cages for the last seven columns.

CP 4: McCombs Road | Kern County

On the west side of McCombs Road, crews are hauling embankment fill for the future overcrossing. Crews have also installed the mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) panels and are now working on falsework for the posts, stringers, and beams for the structure.

San Joaquin River Viaduct Nearing Completion

The completed signature arches of the San Joaquin River Viaduct straddle the Fresno and Madera county line and represent the northern gateway into the Central Valley. With the superstructure now complete, crews are putting the final touches on the largest structure in Construction Package 1.

The San Joaquin River Viaduct and Pergola structure spans approximately 4,741-feet long collectively, with the top of the viaduct spanning 43-feet wide. The 210-foot arch span over the San Joaquin River is supported by 20 pre-cast floor beams. Technically, the cast-in-place arches act as suspension bridge support for the bridge deck.

Further south of the San Joaquin River, a large pergola structure was built to allow high-speed trains to cross over the Union Pacific Railroad. A total of 198 girders form the foundation of the lid of the pergola structure. Each girder weighs 156,000 lbs. and is 121-feet long.

CP 1: Veterans Boulevard Project | Fresno

In north Fresno, crews are hard at work at Veterans and Golden State Boulevard part of the second phase of the City of Fresno’s Veterans Boulevard Interchange and Corridor Improvement Project.

On both sides of Golden State Boulevard, crews have completed pile driving and column work for the substructure of the grade separation. Crews also completed work on the mechanically-stabilized earth (MSE) walls and are now working on the abutment caps and bent caps. Crews have also begun installing the falsework for the superstructure.

When complete, the Veterans Boulevard Project will include a grade separation taking traffic over the Union Pacific Railroad, Golden State Boulevard and future high-speed rail lines. The structure will include two spans and will be more than 294-feet long and 132-feet wide.

This City of Fresno improvement project is partially funded by the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

CP 2-3: Tule River Viaduct | Tulare County

At the Avenue 144/Tule River Viaduct (pictured in rendering) in Tulare County, crews from Martinez Steel are tying rebar for a multi-cell reinforced box culvert, a structure that will allow water and wildlife to cross below the high-speed rail alignment. More than 800 cubic-yards of concrete will be placed for the base of the culvert. When completed, the culvert will be more than 12-feet high, 112-feet wide, and 101-feet long.

To the south, crews have begun paving for what will be the temporary State Route 43. In the near future, the highway will be shifted to the east to allow for construction of the future viaduct.

CP 2-3: Conejo Viaduct | Fresno County

At the northern portion of the Conejo Viaduct in Fresno County, crews continue to place concrete to form the bents and columns of the substructure. To the south, crews continue to erect the column flares, the portion of the column that supports the superstructure. When complete, the 2,000-foot Conejo Viaduct will carry high-speed trains over the BNSF rail line, Conejo and Peach avenues.

CP 2-3: Dover Grade Separation | Kings County

In February, crews broke ground at the Dover Avenue Overcrossing in Kings County. Currently, crews are hauling roughly 800-900 truckloads of dirt each day to form the slopes of the future overcrossing and grade separation. When complete, the overcrossing will take traffic over the future high-speed rail lines and will span 2,816-feet long and 870-feet wide.

CP 2-3: Mountain View Grade Separation | Fresno County

At Mountain View Avenue in Fresno County, crews are working on reconstructing and relocating the Elkhorn Ditch with the installation of a pre-cast box culvert. The future grade separation will take traffic over the BNSF and the future high-speed rail lines.

CP 4: McCombs Avenue Grade Separation | Kern County

At McCombs Avenue, crews have poured four of the eight columns for the substructure of the McCombs Grade Separation. Crews continue to work on the west side of the BNSF tracks to prepare the forms and rebar to continue to pour future columns. When complete, the McCombs Avenue Grade Separation will take traffic over the BNSF and future high-speed rail lines.

CP 4: Wasco Viaduct | Wasco

At the Wasco Viaduct, crews continue to set panels on the mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall on the north side of the structure. Crews continue to backfill with dirt to form the slopes of the structure. At the top of the northside of the structure, ironworkers are tying rebar to form the box girder section as well as the bent diaphragm and anchors of the superstructure.

At the pergola section, crews recently completed a utility relocation allowing crews to get to work on the center portion of the structure. Crews have placed concrete to form the columns for the center span.

Further south, precast panels continue to be installed to form the deck of the structure. Surveyor crews on top of the overhead portion over the BNSF right-of-way mark the necessary points needed to bring the Wasco Viaduct together. Just below on the edge girder, crews are working on the finishing of the exposed surface.

5,000 Workers and Counting

Construction is booming across the Central Valley thanks to the hardworking men and women building the nation’s first high-speed rail system. Over the last year, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has celebrated several significant milestones including the completion of five structures in Madera, Fresno and the first in Kern County. To date, we have dispatched more than 5,000 workers onto our construction sites with the next generation of workers on the way.

Central Valley Training Center Opens | Selma

In October, the Central Valley Training Center in Selma, welcomed its first cohort of 30 students to be part of a 16-week program that will provide pre-apprenticeship classes and hands-on construction industry training for residents looking to work on the high-speed rail project. Since the opening of the training center, nearly 500 Central Valley residents have applied to take part in the program. The next cohort will begin in February.

CP 1: Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

Work is nearly complete at the Avenue 12 Grade Separation. Crews have shifted traffic onto the structure and are working to put the final touches on the structure itself including some profile grinding on the top of the roadway which will enhance the safety and ride along the roadway.

CP 1: Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the northern portion of the Cedar Viaduct, crews continue to construct the falsework for the structure taking high-speed trains over Golden State Boulevard. South of Golden State Boulevard, crews have begun stripping some of the falsework of the viaduct. Near State Route 99, carpenters continue to build the formwork for the arches and ironworkers continue to tie rebar for the arch beams.

CP 2-3: South Avenue Grade Separation | Fresno County

Crews are working on top of the superstructure getting ready for another concrete pour for the back wall of the structure. Shortly after, crews will backfill the wall with fill material.

CP 2-3: Adams Avenue Grade Separation | Fresno County

In November, a new construction site broke ground in Fresno County at the Adams Avenue overcrossing. Crews have completed the original grade preparations including closing and demolishing the roadway and are now hauling-in dirt for preliminary work on the slopes of the structure.

CP 2-3: Cairo & Ninth Avenues | Kings County

At Cairo Avenue (first photo), construction crews have the abutments built and ready for the falsework of the superstructure to be installed.

Nearby at Ninth Avenue (second photo), continued construction of the falsework for the superstructure of the future high-speed rail structure. Crews will now tie-in rebar for the soffit of the structure in preparation of a concrete placement. Both structures will carry high-speed trains above grade and allow traffic to pass underneath.

CP 2-3: Tule River Viaduct | Tulare County

At the Tule River Viaduct in Tulare County, subcontractors are working on drilling more than 150 cast-in-drilled-hole (CIDH) piles to provide the foundation of the future high-speed rail structure. Each pile ranges from 60 to 200 feet in length. These piles will form the bents of the substructure. The Tule River Viaduct will carry high-speed trains from the east to the west side of the BNSF freight line, and across State Route 43.

CP 4: McCombs Avenue Grade Separation | Kern County

Just north of Wasco at McCombs Avenue, crews completed the first mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall on the east side of State Route 43 (SR 43). In the coming months, they will begin working on the west side of the highway. The McCombs Avenue Grade Separation will take traffic over SR 43, BNSF freight line, and the future high-speed rail lines.

CP 4: Pond Avenue Viaduct | Kern County

At Pond Road, crews are preparing to place nearly 340 cubic yards of concrete to form the stem walls on both sides of the high-speed rail structure. When completed, the structure will span 121 feet long and 52 feet wide and will take high-speed trains over Pond Road.

CP 4: Wasco Viaduct | Kern County

At the Wasco Viaduct, north of the pergola section, crews are installing post-tensioning ducts and tying rebar at the box girder section. At the pergola section, rebar is being installed at the lower edge girder. At the south viaduct, preparations are being made to install falsework at the beginning of the new year. Concrete placements will resume in January.

Celebrating Labor Day

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is now averaging a daily record of nearly 1,100 workers dispatched to construction sites throughout the Central Valley. This milestone comes as the country celebrates Labor Day and the contributions of the American worker.

“The Authority is proud to keep hardworking men and women on the job and in the field during this worldwide pandemic,” said Authority CEO Brian Kelly. “These individuals are more than ‘essential.’ Each day, these skilled workers are out building for California and the nation’s future, and their contribution is invaluable.”

CP 1: Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

In Madera County, a newly constructed overpass at Avenue 15 has been opened to traffic. The overpass located between State Route 99 and Road 32 allows traffic to travel over the existing BNSF railroad tracks and the future high-speed rail system.

Two other grade separations are getting closer to completion. Crews have recently paved and striped the Avenue 10 and 7 overpasses in Madera County that will open by fall.

CP 1: Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

In July, crews shut down State Route 99 (SR 99) overnight to place the last two precast girders to form the superstructure of the Cedar Viaduct. Ironworkers continue to tie rebar for the edge beams of the structure. When complete, the Cedar Viaduct will be nearly 3,700-feet long and will carry trains over SR 99, North and Cedar Avenues, and Golden State Boulevard.

CP 1: American Avenue Grade Separation | South Fresno

A Fresno County structure is nearly complete. The American Avenue Grade Separation is paved and striped and ready to take traffic over the BNSF and future high-speed rail lines. The structure will also open by fall.

CP 1: Downtown Fresno/Tulare Street/Fresno Street | Downtown Fresno

There is plenty of work happening just west of downtown Fresno and the future high-speed rail station. At Tulare and G Street, crews are relocating a telecommunications line near the future high-speed rail undercrossing. Crews are also relocating electrical utilities at Mono and G Street, and at Fresno and G Street in preparation for future construction.

CP 2-3: South Avenue Grade Separation | Fresno County

Several girders have been successfully placed at the South Avenue overcrossing in Fresno County. Construction crews worked through the night to place eight girders over BNSF railroad tracks during a 17-hour window. The girders ranging from 55,000 lbs to 175,000 lbs were manufactured at the Dragados-Flatiron/Joint Venture pre-cast plant in Hanford and transported to the construction site. When complete, the South Avenue grade separation will take traffic over the BNSF and future high-speed rail tracks.

CP 2-3: Conejo Viaduct | Fresno County

This month, ironworkers at the Conejo Viaduct continue to assemble rebar cages that will be used to form the columns of the viaduct. The rebar cages are then lifted and placed in cast-in-drilled-holes (CIDH) bents to provide future support of the structure. On the east side of the BNSF railroad, 26 columns will be needed for the structure.

On the west side of the BNSF tracks, 18 of the 24 columns have been erected. Crews are now working on pouring concrete to form the column flares, the portion of the column that supports the structure. All column rebar cages should be fabricated and placed in the coming weeks.

CP 2-3: Davis Avenue Grade Separation | Fresno County

Over the last month, crews continue to haul nearly 400 truckloads of dirt a day to form the slopes of the Davis Avenue Grade Separation. Crews are now setting panels to form two mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls and backfilling the walls with dirt. The Davis Avenue Grade Separation will allow traffic to cross over the high-speed rail alignment.

CP 2-3: Hanford Viaduct | Kings County

At the northern segment of the Hanford Viaduct near Grangeville Boulevard, crews continue to erect the concrete columns needed to support the top of the structure. Crews continue to work north to south, hoisting the forms for the columns into place toward the middle section of the viaduct before concrete is poured to form the column.

In the middle of the Hanford Viaduct, crews are fine grading the bottom of the bridge footings with rock. Off in the distance, crews continue to work going north, driving concrete piles needed to provide support for the structure.

CP 4: Wasco Viaduct | Kern County

The Wasco Viaduct continues to take shape with plenty of work happening across the entire structure. To the north, crews are placing temporary forms for a retaining wall that will reach 34-feet high. Close by, crews are placing the bulk head on the end of the section footing in preparation for a concrete pour. Nearly 290 cubic-yards will be needed for the footing. At the pergola section crews continue to tie rebar on the upper edge girders while carpenters are placing forms for the upper edge girder for concrete placement.

CP 4: Pond Road Viaduct | Kern County

North of Wasco in Kern County, crews placed nearly 431 cubic-yards of concrete to form the deck of the Pond Road Viaduct. The job took 8 hours to complete and was the second concrete placement at the structure. The week before, crews placed 66.5 cubic-yards of concrete to form the diaphragms. The Pond Road Viaduct will span approximately 121 feet in length, 52 feet wide, and will allow high-speed trains to cross over Pond Avenue.

CP 4: Poso Creek Viaduct | Kern County

In July, crews performed the largest single concrete placement to happen to date in Construction Package 4 at Poso Creek. More than 100 trucks placed more than 1,000 cubic-yards to form the deck of the superstructure. In August, crews placed another 535 cubic-yards of concrete to form the east and west stemwalls.

4,000 Workers and Counting

It’s been a busy Spring at the California High-Speed Rail. Work is booming on more than 32 active construction sites across the Central Valley. As we move forward building the nation’s first high-speed rail system, we are proud to announce that more than 4,000 construction jobs have been created, with more than 73% of the workers dispatched to our various construction sites reported living in the Central Valley.

We expect to keep the momentum this summer by completing and opening several overcrossings along Construction Package 1 and 2-3. More construction sites are also scheduled to open in the months to come.

CP 1: Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

Just south of Madera, crews are making finishing touches on several bridges to open them up to traffic by this summer. At Avenue 15, joint seals, a highly compressive plastic, are being installed to allow for the expansion and contraction of the bridge during hot and cold weather, and in case of an earthquake.

CP 1: Avenue 10 Grade Separation | Madera County

Crews have finished cutting and installing expansion joints at Avenue 10 and have also completed paving and striping. This bridge is close to completion and will be open to traffic this summer.

CP 1: Avenue 7 Grade Separation | Madera County

Avison Construction, a small business and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) located in Madera County, is laying fresh asphalt at Avenue 7, just north of the San Joaquin River. A roller truck is also being used to ensure the new asphalt surface is compacted and smoothed.

CP 2-3 Hanford Viaduct | Kings County

Work is continuing at the Hanford Viaduct. Near Grangeville Avenue just north of Hanford, contractors have moved to the next phase of the build out by tying rebar and pouring concrete to form the bents of the viaduct. A bent is part of the substructure that provides support for the superstructure. A total of 84 bents are needed for the entire viaduct.

Crews are now pile-driving concrete production piles just north of Lacey Boulevard where the Hanford Viaduct will begin to cross over State route 198. More than 7,000 production piles will be needed for the foundation of the Hanford Viaduct.

CP 2-3: Avenue 88 | Tulare County

At Avenue 88 in Tulare County, crews are finishing up forming the last substructure located to the east of the existing BNSF tracks and State Route (SR) 43. Crews will pour concrete for the substructure in the next few weeks. The Avenue 88 overcrossing will take traffic over the future high-speed rail line, BNSF freight tracks, and SR 43.

CP 2-3: Idaho Avenue | Kings County

Crews have completed hauling dirt to form the slopes of the future overcrossing at Idaho Avenue. While the slopes settle, a temporary road has been built around the overcrossing to serve as a detour route while crews begin hauling fill to begin construction on an overcrossing to the south at Jackson Avenue.

CP 2-3: Kansas Avenue | Kings County

At Kansas Avenue in Kings County, crews are nearly complete with an inlet in preparation to relocate the West Fork Canal. The canal is located to the east of the Kansas Avenue overcrossing, taking traffic over the high-speed rail tracks.

CP 2-3: Mountain View Avenue | Fresno County

Crews are hard at work relocating a telecommunications (AT&T) line at Mountain View and Chestnut avenues in Fresno County. Work is being conducted by LASAR Construction and Leo Tidwell Excavation Corporation, two of more than 500 small businesses working on the high-speed rail project.

CP 2-3: Jackson Avenue | Kings County

Crews are working and close to completing work on the Melga Canal near the future Jackson Avenue overcrossing. Earlier this month, crews poured more than 200 cubic yards of concrete to form transition ends which include wing walls, head walls, and concrete lining. Once the concrete culvert is complete, it will achieve both sustaining consecutive water flow and having embankment dirt placed overhead.

CP 4: Poso Creek | Kern County

At Poso Creek just north of the city of Wasco, carpenters are building and erecting falsework bents that will later support the construction of the Poso Creek superstructure. Crews are hard at work installing bridge soffits, wall forms, steel reinforcement and post-tensioning elements as well as formwork for wingwalls.

CP 4: Wasco Viaduct | Kern County

On the east side of the Wasco Viaduct, ironworkers and carpenters are working on the steel beams and forms for the edge girder of the pergola section. The edge girders will support the precast girders that are expected to be set during the summer. Crews will set more than 70 girders from east to west on the pergola section over the BNSF railroad.

At the northern portion of the viaduct, crews are erecting the falsework that will support the box girders, linking the abutment with the pergola section just to the south.

April Construction Update

As we work together to flatten the curve of COVID-19, construction workers building the nation’s first high-speed rail system are taking extra safety precautions out in the field as construction continues in the Central Valley. The California High-Speed Rail project, like most transportation projects around the state, is considered a critical infrastructure sector.

With more than 800 workers dispatched in the first week of April, staff, contractors, and construction workers are working closely with unions and the Building Trades in following specific guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all employees. With 119 miles of construction underway, we are proud to keep people at work and continue critical infrastructure for California.

CP 1: Avenue 7 Grade Separation | Madera County

Crews have completed hauling dirt to form the Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls for the Avenue 7 and Road 33 grade separations. Approximately 275 yards of concrete were placed to form the deck of the overpass. Recently, contractors have begun building posts for future guard rail installation. By mid-April, crews have scheduled for the deck to be paved, grinded and striped.

CP 1: Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

Work is nearly complete at the Avenue 15 and 10 overcrossings in Madera County. In the next few weeks, crews will repave roads near Avenue 15 and 10 before opening the overcrossings to traffic. The structures will take traffic over the high-speed rail and existing BNSF freight rail lines. Both overcrossings are expected to open this spring.

CP 1: Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct, crews have placed 38 of the 40 girders across the superstructure spanning State Route 99 (SR 99). North of SR 99, crews have begun formwork on an abutment for high-speed rail to cross over Golden State Boulevard. The Cedar Viaduct spans nearly 3,700 feet and crosses over SR 99, Golden State Boulevard, Cedar and North avenues.

CP 2-3: Idaho Avenue | Kings County

This month, Idaho Avenue was closed to traffic to allow hauling to begin for construction of an overpass. More than 11,000 yards of dirt have been imported to the site as crews prepare the slopes and compact dirt for the structure. As many as 15 haul trucks are being used each day to transport the fill-dirt.

CP 4: Wasco Avenue | Kern County

Ironworkers are hard at work at the Wasco Viaduct in Kern County. Crews are continuing to drill shafts where rebar will be placed to form columns for the pergola structure. On top of the deck, ironworkers with Pacific Steel Group are setting horizontal bars to link the stirrups of the girders for the west side of the pergola. When complete, the viaduct and pergola will be nearly 2,000-feet in length.

CP 4: Pond Road | Kern County

At Pond Road, just west of State Route 43 (SR 43) in Kern County, laborers are grading Pond Road for the falsework pads of the structure. Carpenters are also building the forms that will eventually be installed to support the bridge deck, which will mold the aesthetic pattern of the structure. This viaduct will take future high-speed trains over Pond Road. When complete, the viaduct will be approximately 121-feet in length and 52-feet wide.

CP 4: Kimberlina Road | Kern County

Concrete trucks are staged at Kimberlina Road near SR 43 where workers are placing concrete into the shafts of the foundation of the viaduct structure. Nearby, crews are continuing to drill additional shafts where rebar will eventually be placed. This viaduct will be approximately 117-feet in length and 110-feet wide when complete.

San Joaquin River Viaduct

In north Fresno at the San Joaquin River Viaduct, crews have begun placing concrete to form the center spans of the viaduct’s signature arches – representing the entrance into the City of Fresno. Crews have also begun stripping the falsework of the arches on either side of the viaduct.

CP 1: Avenue 7 Overcrossing | Madera County

At the edge of Madera County just north of the San Joaquin River Viaduct, crews continue to haul in embankment/dirt to form the mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls of the future overcrossing at the Avenue 7 and Road 33 intersection. Eastbound Avenue 7 when exiting State Route (SR) 99 remains closed at this time. Traffic going eastbound will be detoured to the Avenue 9 exit.

CP 2-3: Hanford Viaduct | Kings County

Crews are currently pile-driving concrete production piles at the northern portion of the Hanford Viaduct near Grangeville Boulevard. Nearly 7,000 production piles will be needed to provide foundation support for the Hanford Viaduct, which will take high-speed rail trains over Grangeville Boulevard, the San Joaquin Valley Railroad, and State Route 198.

CP 4: Garces Highway | Kern County

Construction Package 4 construction crews have now poured 465 cubic yards of concrete to form the deck at the Garces Highway Viaduct. Now that the concrete is cured, crews are now working on installing post-tensioning ducts and rebar to form the structure’s stems. More concrete will be poured later in February.

CP 4: Wasco Viaduct | Kern County

In the center of town at the Wasco Viaduct, crews have poured a total of 32 columns to the west and 11 columns to the east side of the pergola structure. Now, crews are working on the falsework for the edge girders that connects all the columns together. The Wasco Viaduct will be nearly a mile long when complete.

Featured Project: San Joaquin River Viaduct

In north Fresno, crews are working over the San Joaquin River and making final preparations before placing concrete at the east archway of the viaduct. The concrete placement is planned for next week while crews continue forming up the west archway and building an additional scaffold. These arches will act as a suspension bridge support for the bridge span over the river.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

This week, nighttime closures kicked off on State Route 99 as crews began the placement of precast concrete girders over the highway to connect the Cedar Viaduct. Near the south abutment of the structure, Martinez Steel has completed tying rebar, and crews are now placing concrete for the stems and soffit of the bridge deck. When complete, the Cedar Viaduct will be approximately three quarters of a mile long.

Fresno Trench & State Route 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

Just outside of downtown Fresno, crews have completed the walls, floor and lid of the Fresno Trench and are now placing concrete for the intrusion protection barrier walls that will separate the high-speed rail corridor and Union Pacific Railroad. Meanwhile below State Route 180 (SR 180), backfilling and reconstruction of eastbound lanes are taking place as crews prepare for the next stage of work that will reconstruct the number 1 and 2 lanes of SR 180 going east and westbound.

Davis Avenue | Fresno County

In Fresno County, bulldozers, graders and haul trucks are working simultaneously to install high-speed rail embankment north of Davis Avenue. As the embankment haul takes place, street sweepers and water trucks are in operation to keep the roads clear of debris.

Excelsior Avenue Grade Separation | Kings County

Heading into Kings County, crews are continuing work on a bridge at Excelsior Avenue between 7th Avenue and State Route 43. Concrete is being placed at the bridge deck that will eventually allow for Excelsior Avenue traffic to cross over the high-speed rail line.

Garces Highway Viaduct | Kern County

At Garces Highway in Kern County, carpenters are building falsework to stabilize the deck of the Garces structure and prepare for upcoming concrete placement. This structure, located near State Route 43 and Scofield Avenue, will take high-speed trains over Garces Highway and eventually realign Scofield Avenue to become parallel to the high-speed rail alignment.

Wasco Viaduct | Wasco

At the Wasco Viaduct, crews are drilling and placing shafts on the east side of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe that will ultimately support a pergola allowing high-speed train to pass over the existing freight tracks. Crews are now guiding cages down to connect to ground anchors. On the west side of the BNSF, 26 columns of the pergola section have been poured. This structure will be nearly a mile long when complete.

Featured Project: San Joaquin River Viaduct

Work continues on construction of the signature arches that will serve as the high-speed rail “gateway” to Fresno and Madera counties. More than just an aesthetic treatment, the arches will act as a suspension bridge support for the bridge deck. Falsework is being constructed on either side of the structure and rebar installed along the arches. The “stovepipe” features are how support cables will be tightened to post-tension the structure and support the deck’s weight once the arch concrete has been poured. The completed viaduct, nearly a mile in length, will be one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

CP 1: Fresno Trench & State Route 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

North of downtown Fresno, rebar is now being placed for the floor of the box that will carry high-speed trains through the trench alongside the Union Pacific lines and under State Route 180. Under the highway, the support scaffolding is in place for the lid of the box in preparation for a series of concrete pours to form the lid. The walls, floor and lid will all consist of solid concrete, about five feet thick.

CP 1: Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct on the south side of Fresno, crews continue constructing the pieces of the viaduct that will eventually cross over State Route 99. Ironworkers are currently tying rebar for an upcoming deck pour. Once the viaduct is complete on either side of the highway, precast concrete girders will be set to span the highway lanes. One of the largest structures on Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct will be about three-quarters of a mile long when it’s complete.

CP 2-3: Excelsior Avenue | Kings County

On Construction Package 2-3, crews are preparing for a concrete pour by cleaning up the bridge deck with magnets. The magnets help them pick up the small pieces of wire left over from tying the deck rebar and nails from the deck construction. The Excelsior Avenue overcrossing, north of the town of Hanford in Kings County, will take traffic over the future high-speed rail line.

CP 1: Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the north end of Construction Package 1 in Madera County, a dozer operator moves and compacts the dirt being hauled in to build up the north side of the Road 27 overcrossing. Eventually the fill will reach the level of the bridge deck when it will be paved. The overcrossing will take Road 27 traffic over an existing BNSF line and the future high-speed rail line.

CP 1: Avenue 10 Grade Separation | Madera County

Construction has begun on the abutments for an overcrossing at Avenue 10 in Madera County. The crossing will take Avenue 10 traffic over the future high-speed rail line, just like the recently completed crossings at Avenue 8 and Avenue 11. Also like those crossings the roadway will be completely closed during construction with traffic detoured to Avenue 11 and Avenue 9.

CP 1: Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

Pre-cast concrete deck panels have been placed to form the deck of the Avenue 12 overcrossing over the BNSF tracks east of Madera Community College. Crews will next begin setting rebar in preparation for an eventual deck concrete pour. The overcrossing being built alongside busy Avenue 12 will take traffic over the future high-speed trains and an existing BNSF line.

CP 1: Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

Workers put the finishing touches on wing wall forms prior to a scheduled concrete pour. Within the next few weeks fill dirt will be trucked in to fill in behind the walls on the structure’s east side and bring traffic up to the level of the bridge. The Avenue 15 overcrossing will take traffic over the existing BNSF lines and a future high-speed rail line.

Featured Project: San Joaquin River Viaduct

Work has begun on the signature arches that will serve as the high-speed rail “gateway” to Fresno and Madera counties. Falsework is being constructed on either side of the structure to form the arches that will be filled with concrete. Nearby, another crew is tying rebar for barrier walls along the sides of the structure. The completed viaduct, nearly a mile in length, will be one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

Avenue 8 Grade Separation | Madera County

Asphalt paving is now largely complete for the roadway leading up to the Avenue 8 overcrossing bridge, in preparation for the Madera County road’s reopening. Trucks filled with hot asphalt empty their loads into the front of a paving machine, which then lays out a slab of pavement about six-inches thick, as vibrating rollers compact it. Final pavement striping, drainage inlets, and guardrail installation are the last steps prior to reopening the road.

Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

Initial paving has been completed on the west side of the Avenue 12 overcrossing, leading up to the high-speed rail overcrossing bridge section. Meanwhile crews are at work on the crossing over the BNSF freight lines at the east end of the structure. There, workers tie rebar for a section of the barrier walls off the sides of the abutment. The overcrossing east of Madera Community College will carry Avenue 12 traffic over the high-speed rail line and eliminate the existing freight rail crossing.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

Bridge deck construction has begun, and workers are preparing forms for a concrete pour to extend the abutment’s wing walls. The 35-foot tall, two-span structure will take traffic over the future high-speed train and the existing BNSF freight rail alignment. Cast in place embankment walls are taking shape on the east side of the structure. On the bridge, crews are setting precast deck panels on top of the girders, creating a working area that will be a permanent part of the bridge deck.

Fresno Trench & State Route 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

Workers on the State Route 180 trench, a little north of downtown Fresno, direct a concrete pump as it pours 300 cubic yards of concrete to create a section of wall. The crews are constructing a box that will carry trains under the highway, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal. As that concrete sets, the forms will be moved to another section of the tunnel and the process repeated. Other sections of the tunnel rebar are still being tied in preparation for a concrete pour, while the final step will be to construct a lid to enclose the entire structure. The walls, floor and lid will all consist of solid concrete, five feet thick.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct, crews are constructing another section of viaduct to cross over Cedar Avenue, as the structure gets closer to State Route 99. Once the viaduct has been built on either side of the highway, precast concrete girders will be set to span the highway lanes. One of the largest structures on Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct will be about three-quarters of a mile long when it’s complete.

Excelsior Avenue Grade Separation | Kings County

On Construction Package 2-3, crews continue construction of the Excelsior Avenue overcrossing north of the town of Hanford in Kings County. The two abutments are largely complete, and two piers have been poured and are awaiting construction of the pier caps that will hold girders for the crossing’s superstructure. The Excelsior Avenue overcrossing will take traffic over the future high-speed rail line.

Featured Project: Excelsior Avenue

Work has begun on abutment construction for an overcrossing at Excelsior Avenue in Kings County on Construction Package 2-3. Subcontractor Forefront Deep Foundations is pile-driving precast, prestressed concrete piles, 55 to 57 feet long, to begin the foundations for abutments and piers. The structure will take Excelsior Avenue traffic over future high-speed trains.

The reason contractors perform pile driving is that some types of soils are subject to liquefaction during an earthquake, which means the soils lose their strength or stiffness and behave like a liquid. Piles are driven deep into the ground so that they still provide support for a structure even if the soil around them doesn’t.

CP 2-3: Kansas Avenue Grade Separation | Kings County

At Kansas Avenue, crews are putting the final touches on the pier cap forms in preparation for a concrete pour. Once the concrete is set the forms will be stripped and girders placed to form the foundation for the overcrossing’s superstructure.

CP 2-3: Kent Avenue Grade Separation | Kings County

With girders set, work gets underway constructing the deck of the overcrossing at Kent Avenue. Crews are tying rebar preparing for a concrete pour that will enclose the ends of the girders, while other members of the crew work on forming the deck.

CP 1: Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 15, workers have poured the bent cap on the west side of the overcrossing in addition to the eastern abutment. Two spans of girders were set over a couple of days at the end of March, with girders set over the railroad at night in coordination with BNSF railroad. The 35-foot tall, two-span structure will take traffic over the future high-speed train and the existing BNSF freight rail alignment.

CP 1: Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the northern end of Construction Package 1, crews have completed pouring concrete to connect the girder sections on the massive structure in Madera County, and are pouring diaphragms that laterally connect the girders for stiffening. Next, the contractor will be post-tensioning the girders. Post-tensioning is a way to reinforce the girders further. Steel cables are strung through ducts in the girders and are then pulled tight and tensioned. This structure is a spliced girder bridge which is unique to the area and was necessary due to the existing road geometry. Ultimately, the bridge will be nearly 650 feet long with frontage roads providing access to local homes along the sides.

CP 1: Fresno Trench & SR 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

A little north of downtown Fresno, workers on the US 180 trench are excavating along the trench north of SR 180 which is being lowered another 10 feet to get to the “floor”, or invert, of the trench. Work has also begun on construction of the “floor” of the concrete box that will carry trains under the highway, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal. Rebar crews have started to tie rebar that extends up the sides of the trench for the walls. The trench will extend approximately 1 mile in length.

CP 1: San Joaquin River Viaduct | North Fresno

Crews are installing metal decking over the river, forming the floor of the San Joaquin River Viaduct. Once concrete has been poured to form the deck, work will begin on the signature arches that will serve as the “gateway” to Fresno County. The completed viaduct, nearly a mile in length, will be one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

CP 1: Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct, crews are constructing an abutment at the north end of the structure. Fill dirt will eventually be placed to transition trains to and from grade level and the viaduct. The Cedar Viaduct will be about three-quarters of a mile long when it’s complete.

99 Realignment Complete

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 15 to mark the completion of work on the “State Route 99 Realignment for High-Speed Rail” project in the City of Fresno. The project shifted portions of the highway between Ashlan Avenue and Clinton Avenue 80 to 100 feet to the west to make room for the high-speed rail alignment.

“Enough can’t be said about what it took to get a project of this scope and size completed,” said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman. “This is an amazing achievement for District 6 and High-Speed Rail. It’s also a sign of good things to come.”

At $290 million, this project is the biggest in the history of District 6. Along with the relocation of the highway, three overcrossings were demolished and completely reconstructed to accommodate the height and width requirements of the high-speed train. The realignment is part of the high-speed rail corridor of projects within the Merced to Fresno project section.

“The completion of this project marks a major milestone in constructing the high-speed rail project through the Central Valley,” said Central Regional Director Diana Gomez. “Through our partnership with Caltrans, not only were infrastructure updates made, but hundreds of jobs were created.

Several improvements were made to the corridor as well, including the addition of three through lanes and an auxiliary for each direction of travel. Also, three at-grade onramps were permanently closed to improve traffic flow and overall safety on the heavily-traveled thoroughfare.

“This was a huge undertaking with a lot of moving parts and I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish with minimal disruption to mainline traffic,” said Caltrans District Director Sharri Bender Ehlert. “It’s a real testament to the partnership between Caltrans, High-Speed Rail and the City of Fresno.”

Garces Highway | Kern County

Work gets underway on abutments at what will be a high-speed rail crossing over Garces Highway, just outside the town of Wasco in Kern County. A concrete pump truck pumps concrete into the rebar filled forms. Workers direct the flow to where it needs to be to ensure coverage and also insert a vibrator into the poured concrete to eliminate air pockets.

San Joaquin River Viaduct | North Fresno

At the San Joaquin River Viaduct, foundations have been poured for a cast-in-place concrete arch that will act as the high-speed rail gateway to Fresno County. Other sections of the viaduct continue to be constructed on the north and south banks of the San Joaquin River. Crews are installing metal decking over the river, concrete super structure elements are being poured to the south of the river, and deck drainage is being installed on completed sections.

Fresno Trench & SR 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

A little north of downtown Fresno, workers on the State Route 180 trench are putting the finishing touches on the walls inside the undercrossing, while others excavate the area outside where the trains will start to come back to grade. Work has slowed due to the wet winter weather, but is about to begin construction on the “floor” of the concrete box that will carry trains under the highway, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal. Ultimately, the trench will extend approximately 1 mile in length.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct, construction crews continue extending the structure across State Route 99 south of Fresno. Columns for support piers are rising on both sides of the highway and in the median. Construction crews are now building the flared pier caps that will hold up the viaduct deck and extending the falsework from the already completed section. The viaduct will eventually be connected to the smaller Muscat Viaduct a little further to the south.

Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the northern end of Construction Package 1, crews have begun pouring concrete for diaphragms, which are the structures that connect the girders along the sides to stabilize the superstructure. Also, crews are pouring the closure pours, which will connect the girder sections end to end. This structure is a spliced girder bridge which is unique to the area and was necessary to elongate the spans due to the existing road geometry. Ultimately, the bridge will be nearly 650 feet long with frontage roads providing access to local homes along the sides.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 15, construction is underway on both sides of the tracks as workers complete the central pier and start work on the eastern abutment. Workers have poured the bent cap, which ties the two columns together, and are removing the temporary falsework that supported the concrete forms. The 35-foot-tall west abutment was poured earlier this month and the forms have been stripped and moved to the east side where that abutment is now taking shape. After the eastern abutment is poured, girders will be set for the two-span structure which will take traffic over the future high-speed train and the existing BNSF freight rail alignment.

Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

A little east of Madera Community College, crews have poured the concrete deck and barrier walls along the sides of the Avenue 12 high-speed rail overcrossing. Walls adjacent to the Avenue 12 overpass are also being constructed. The recent rains slowed down the progress of the footings, but walls are starting to be formed on the west side of the tracks. The realignment of the busy roadway with two separate bridges will take traffic over the high-speed rail line and the BNSF freight tracks a little further east.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

Recent cold temperatures and rain have held up final asphalt paving for the roadway leading up to the bridge at Avenue 11. While they wait for warmer paving weather, crews have begun working on the area under the bridge.

American Avenue Grade Separation | South Fresno

Crews at American Avenue, the southern end of Construction Package 1, have begun constructing the diaphragms to stabilize the bridge superstructure. Once the diaphragms have been completed the next step will be to install steel deck panels to create a foundation for the crossing's deck.

Featured Project: Kent Avenue

At the overcrossing for Kent Avenue, workers use a crane to set girders for the bridge deck on the three-span structure. A total of 12 girders will be set during this phase, eight that are about 50 feet in length that will connect the abutments to the piers, and four about 80 feet long between the piers that will span the crossing over the future high-speed train line.

Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the northern end of Construction Package 1, crews continue building the structures (called diaphragms) that will connect the girders to one another along the sides at the Road 27 Grade Separation in MaderaCounty. They are also preparing for closure pours which will connect the girder sections end to end. Ultimately, the bridge will be nearly 650 feet long with frontage roads providing access to local homes along the sides.

San Joaquin River Viaduct | North Fresno

At the San Joaquin River Viaduct, foundations have been poured for a cast-in-place concrete arch that will act as the high-speed rail “gateway to Fresno County.” Nearby, a worker uses a high-pressure hose to blow debris out of the rebar in preparation for another concrete structure pour. The completed viaduct, nearly a mile in length, will be one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

Fresno Trench & SR 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

A little north of downtown Fresno, workers are nearing completion of the excavation for the high-speed rail crossing under State Route 180. As crews put the finishing touches on the walls inside the undercrossing, others excavate the area outside where the trains will come back to grade. The next step will be to construct a concrete box that will carry trains under the highway, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal. Crews have reached the bottom of the trench and are fine grading the area in order to start the box construction. Ultimately, the trench will extend approximately 1 mile in length.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct, construction crews continue extending the structure across State Route 99 south of Fresno. Columns for several support piers are rising on both sides of the highway and in the median as well. The viaduct will eventually be connected to the smaller Muscat Viaduct a little further to the south. One of the largest structures on Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct will be about three-quarters of a mile long when it’s complete.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 15, construction is underway again on the west side abutment wall and center pier. The 35-foot-tall west abutment was poured earlier this month. The formwork from the west abutment will next be moved over to the east abutment for crews to begin raising that structure out of the ground. The central pier has falsework around the columns and a rebar crew is tying the steel for the bent cap which will tie the two columns together. This two-span structure will take traffic over the future high-speed train and the existing BNSF freight rail alignment.

Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

A little east of Madera Community College, crews have poured the concrete deck and are now setting concrete forms for barrier walls along the sides of the Avenue 12 overcrossing. Walls adjacent to the Avenue 12 overpass crossing the existing freight rail line are also being constructed. The recent rains slowed down the progress of the footings, but walls are starting to be formed on the west side of the tracks. The realignment of the busy roadway with two separate bridges will take traffic over the high-speed rail line and the BNSF freight tracks a little further east.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

Though the bridge itself is largely complete, recent cold temperatures and rain have held up final asphalt paving for the roadway leading up to it. This crossing for Avenue 11, a little east of Road 30 ½, will take traffic over the high-speed train alignment in Madera County.

Avenue 8 Grade Separation | Madera County

As at Avenue 11, the bridge deck for the Avenue 8 overcrossing in Madera County is mostly complete, but final paving for the approaches waits for better weather.

Featured Project: Avenue 12 Grade Separation

Crews have poured the concrete deck and are working on the back walls and traffic barrier for the bridge over the high-speed rail line at the Avenue 12 grade separation. The realignment of the busy roadway with two separate bridges will take traffic over the high-speed rail line and the BNSF freight tracks a little further east. To the east, rebar and carpenter crews continue to work on the cast in place wall footings adjacent to the structure which will cross over the BNSF freight rail tracks.

Fresno Trench & State Route 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

Workers continue excavating the crossing under State Route 180 (SR 180) outside of downtown
Fresno. As they dig down five feet, they add to the retaining wall with a rebar mesh and sprayed
concrete, known as shotcrete. There's about 18 feet left to excavate before crews will construct a
concrete box that will carry the trains under SR 180, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal. At the
trench, to the north of the SR 180, additional precast struts have been set, approximately 800 feet
have been partially excavated. Crews are installing temporary supports to excavate the remainder
in this area of the trench. Ultimately, the trench will extend approximately one mile in length.

San Joaquin River Viaduct | North Fresno

At the northern end of the San Joaquin River Viaduct, girders have been set and a cast-in-place concrete arch is underway for the section that crosses over the river. Concrete is being poured for the deck segments on the north side of the river, while further south, crews continue constructing barrier and intrusion protection walls along the sides of the pergola section of the viaduct. The completed viaduct, nearly a mile in length, will be one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct, construction crews continue extending the structure across State Route 99 south of Fresno. Columns for several support piers are rising on both sides of the highway. The viaduct will eventually be connected to the smaller Muscat Viaduct a little further to the south. One of the largest structures on Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct will be about three-quarters of a mile long when complete.

Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the northern end of Construction Package 1, a total of 28 girders have been set to form the foundation for the crossing superstructure. Currently, crews are beginning construction of diaphragms that will connect the girders to one another along the sides. They’ll also start closure pours which will connect the girder sections together. After some additional utility relocation, embankment work will also begin. Ultimately, the bridge will be nearly 650 feet with frontage roads providing access along the sides to local homes.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

Construction is ramping up at Avenue 15. Carpenter and rebar crews are constructing the abutment wall for this two-span structure which will take traffic over the high-speed train and the existing freight rail alignment.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

On the Avenue 11 bridge, crews are completing traffic barriers on the bridge. Next, dirt, paving, and guardrail crews will be mobilizing to complete the overpass, starting with the roadway leading up to the concrete bridge deck. A rock base will then be placed for the roadway followed by asphalt paving. This crossing, east of Road 30 ½, will take traffic over the high-speed train alignment.

Kent Avenue Grade Separation | Kings Avenue

At the overcrossing for Kent Avenue, workers are beginning construction of the bridge deck’s support piers. A rebar cage is lowered into a drilled shaft then filled with concrete. A second rebar cage is attached then concrete forms set to form the column. A flared pier cap will next be constructed on top of the columns to support the bridge deck.

Featured Project: San Joaquin River Viaduct

At the northern end of the San Joaquin River Viaduct, girders have been set and a cast-in-place concrete arch is underway for the section that crosses over the river. Further south, crews continue constructing barrier and intrusion protection walls along the sides of the pergola section of the viaduct. On the north bank of the San Joaquin River (below), workers are building four box girder spans that will bring northbound trains back to ground level. The completed viaduct, nearly a mile in length, will be one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

Fresno Trench & State Route 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

From above, you can see all the girders recently set over the northern section of the trench. Meanwhile, workers continue excavating the crossing under State Route 180 (SR 180) outside of downtown Fresno. As they dig down five feet, they add to the retaining wall with a rebar mesh and sprayed concrete (also known as shotcrete). Once they reach the bottom of the trench, they’ll construct a concrete box that will carry the trains under SR 180, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct, construction crews continue extending the structure across State Route 99 (SR 99) south of Fresno. Columns for several support piers can be seen rising on both sides of the highway, while crews have also completed temporary shoring and excavation of the pile caps within the SR 99 median. The viaduct will eventually be connected to the smaller Muscat Viaduct a little further to the south. One of the largest structures on Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct will be about three-quarters of a mile long when it’s complete.

Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the northern end of Construction Package 1, a crane sets the remaining concrete girders for the overcrossing at Road 27 in Madera County. In late August and September, four massive girders were placed across the railroad tracks during night time closures coordinated with the BNSF railroad. These concrete beams, each one more than eight feet tall, 150 feet in length, and weighing more than 250,000 pounds, are some of the largest ever used in California. A total of 28 girders will create the foundation for the crossing superstructure, with the deck tentatively scheduled to be poured early next year. After some additional utility relocation, embankment work can also begin.

Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

Wing walls extending off the high-speed rail overpass at Avenue 12 in Madera County have been poured. Next, steel rebar will be placed and tied in preparation for a concrete deck pour. The realignment of the busy roadway with two separate bridges will take traffic over the future high-speed rail line and the BNSF freight tracks a little further east.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the Avenue 11 Grade Crossing, embankment and conduits for future utilities are being completed off the bridge. On the bridge, crews are currently constructing traffic barriers along the sides of the deck. Next, paving and guardrail subcontractors will mobilize to complete the overpass. This crossing, east of Road 30 ½, will take traffic over the high-speed train alignment in Madera County.

Avenue 8 Grade Separation | Madera County

The bridge deck and the wing walls extending off the Avenue 8 overcrossing in Madera County have been poured and crews will next pour the traffic barrier along the sides of the structure. The block retaining walls have been completed on either side of the abutments and fill dirt placed to finish the slope leading up to the bridge. Utility conduit is also being installed for future utilities.

American Avenue Grade Separation | South Fresno

At the southern end of Construction Package 1, girders have been set across the BNSF freight line to continue construction of the American Avenue overcrossing. Design-builder Tutor-Perini/Zachry/Parsons and the Authority are coordinating with BNSF on progressing design that will allow further construction to proceed.

Kansas Avenue | Kings County

At the overcrossing for a realigned Kansas Avenue, west of State Route 43 in Kings County, crews are excavating what will be the passageway for high-speed trains. Abutments for the bridge have already been constructed and next concrete and rebar piers will be built that will support the bridge deck.

Kent Avenue | Kings County

A mile to the north of Kansas Avenue at the overcrossing for Kent Avenue, excavation for the high-speed train passageway has been completed. Ironworkers are now tying rebar for the bridge deck’s support piers.

Featured Project: Cedar Viaduct

At the Cedar Viaduct, construction crews continue extending the structure across State Route 99 south of Fresno. Rebar columns for several support piers can be seen rising on the north side of the highway. Below, a crane holds a concrete form in place while a worker anchors it to a large concrete block. The viaduct will eventually be connected to the smaller Muscat Viaduct a little further to the south. One of the largest structures on Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct will be about three-quarters of a mile long when it’s complete.

Fresno Trench & State Route 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

Workers have been excavating the sides of the crossing under State Route 180 (SR 180) outside of downtown Fresno, preparing for the construction of a retaining wall with a rebar mesh and sprayed concrete (also known as shotcrete). Crews have approximately 15 feet more to excavate before they reach the bottom of the trench where a concrete box will be constructed that will carry the trains under SR 180, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal.

San Joaquin River Viaduct | North Fresno

At the northern end of the San Joaquin River Viaduct, workers are busy with concrete pours as the cast-in-place structure gets closer to the river. Further south, crews have begun constructing barrier walls along the sides of the pergola section of the viaduct. On the south bank of the San Joaquin River, crews are finishing up construction of the remaining support columns, while on the north bank of the river the final pier cap has been poured. The completed viaduct will form one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the northern end of Construction Package 1, large concrete girders are being set for the overcrossing at Road 27 in Madera County. The first two girders were placed across the railroad tracks during a night time closure in late August, while the second two girders are currently scheduled to be set in late September. A total of 28 girders will create the foundation for the crossing superstructure, with the deck tentatively scheduled to be poured early next year. Following utility relocation, embankment work can also begin. Ultimately, the bridge will be nearly 700 feet with frontage roads providing access along the sides to local homes.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 15, just east of Road 29 in Madera County, the piers for a supporting bent structure have been poured, rebar for the west abutment is in place, and fill dirt has been trucked in for the westside embankment. The Authority is currently coordinating with BNSF for a permit to work over the railroad tracks.

Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

The Avenue 12 overcrossing over the BNSF freight tracks has its girders in place, and workers are building a retaining wall adjacent to the structure. The overcrossing, just east of Madera Community College in Madera County, will include one structure that will take traffic over the high-speed train alignment and a separate structure further east that will cross the freight tracks.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

The concrete bridge deck for the Avenue 11 overcrossing has been poured and wing walls constructed along the sides that will tie the structure in with the embankment. Crews are currently constructing barrier walls along the sides of the deck and finishing wing walls which extend off the bridge. This crossing, east of Road 30 ½, will take traffic over the high-speed rail alignment in Madera County.

Avenue 8 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 8 in Madera County, crews construct wing walls for the single span bridge east of State Route 99. Approximately 35,000 lbs. of deck rebar is being tied on the bridge deck. The bridge deck is currently scheduled to be poured in early October. The block retaining walls have been completed on either side of the abutments and fill dirt placed to finish the slope leading up to the bridge.

Kent and Kansas Avenues | Kings County

At the overcrossing for Kansas Avenue, west of State Route 43, carpenters construct the concrete forms for the abutments, preparing for a concrete pour at the end of the month. Meanwhile, a mile to the north at Kent Avenue (right), utility relocation continues and concrete is poured for that overcrossing’s abutments.

Featured Project: Fresno Trench & 180 Passageway

A crane sets pre-cast concrete girders over the northern section of the Fresno Trench, near downtown Fresno. Nearly 40 girders were placed over two days in August, while closer to State Route 180 (SR 180), work continued on a drainage structure that will relocate a 60-inch storm sewer line to the north side of the highway (Below). Crews have approximately 15 feet more to excavate before they reach the bottom of the trench where a concrete box will be constructed that will carry the trains under SR 180, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct, construction crews continue extending the structure across State Route 99 south of Fresno. Concrete support piers are being constructed on either side of the highway and in the highway median as well. Drill shafts have been poured and column work is beginning. The viaduct will eventually be connected to the smaller Muscat Viaduct a little further to the south. One of the largest structures on Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct will be about three-quarters of a mile long when it’s complete.

San Joaquin River Viaduct | North Fresno

At the San Joaquin River Viaduct, workers have completed concrete pours for much of the pergola deck that will carry high-speed trains over the existing rail line (above). On the south bank of the San Joaquin River, crews are finishing up construction of the remaining support columns, while on the north bank of the river (below), the final pier cap has been poured. The cast-in-place construction of the deck is progressing and will follow with the completion of the pier caps, tying all the individual components of the structure together. The completed viaduct will form one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the northern end of Construction Package 1, the overcrossing for Road 27 in Madera County continues to take shape as crews complete the support structures for the coming placement of concrete girders. The first two girders to be placed across the railroad tracks are currently scheduled during a night time closure of the rail line at the end of this month, with two more girders scheduled in late September. A total of 28 girders will be set to create the foundation for the crossing superstructure with the deck tentatively scheduled to be poured in January. As soon as utility relocation begins, embankment work will also commence. The bridge will be more than 600 feet long with the longest span stretching 198 feet.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 15, just east of Road 29 in Madera County, the piers for a supporting bent structure have been poured and falsework will soon be erected to form the bent cap. The foundation for the west abutment has been poured and fill dirt has been trucked to the site to build the embankment on the east side.

Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

The section of the Avenue 12 overcrossing that goes over the BNSF freight tracks is beginning to take shape, and workers are currently building retaining wall footings adjacent to the structure. The Avenue 12 overcrossing will include one structure that will take traffic over the high-speed rail alignment and a separate structure further east that will cross the freight tracks.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the Avenue 11 overcrossing, concrete has been placed for the bridge deck. Next, crews will begin construction of wing walls and the approach slabs that will tie the structure in with the embankment. This crossing, east of Road 30 ½, will take traffic over the high-speed rail alignment in Madera County.

Avenue 8 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 8 in Madera County, rebar is in place for a single span bridge east of State Route 99. Crews are working on the bridge wing walls and bridge deck rebar. The block retaining walls have been completed on either side of the abutments and fill dirt placed to finish the slope leading up to the bridge.

Kent and Kansas Avenues | Kings County

Construction of two overcrossings in CP 2-3 continues with the installation of concrete forms and tying rebar for abutments. At the crossing for Kansas Avenue west of State Route 43, crews tie rebar for columns that will be lowered into drilled shafts and filled with concrete to form the foundation for an abutment. About a mile north, at Kent Avenue, another crew sets concrete forms to begin the construction of an abutment.

Flint and Fargo Avenues | Kings County

Also in Kings County, construction has begun on two new overcrossings, one at Flint Avenue and one at Fargo Avenue east of SR 43 just outside of Hanford. About 49 trucks per hour are hauling approximately 56,000 cubic yards of earth per day to build up the embankments.

New Views from the Air

The August Construction Update features new aerial photos of several of our projects in Construction Package 1 from Madera to South Fresno. Learn more about the new work at the Cedar Viaduct and how it's now concentrating on passing over State Route 99. Plus, read about the progress crews are making on State Route 180 and the unique approach being taken at the grade separation project at Road 27 in Madera County.

San Joaquin River Viaduct & Pergola | North Fresno

At the San Joaquin River Viaduct, workers continue pouring concrete for the pergola deck that will carry high-speed trains over the existing rail line. On the south bank of the San Joaquin River, crews are finishing up construction of pier caps to tie together the few remaining support columns, while on the north bank of the river, the final pier cap has been poured. The cast-in-place construction of the deck follows completion of the pier caps, tying all the individual components of the structure together. The completed viaduct will form one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

Fresno Trench & SR 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

At the Fresno Trench beneath State Route 180 (SR 180), crews have approximately 20 feet more to excavate before they reach the bottom of the trench where a concrete box will be constructed that will carry the trains. Further north, an intrusion protection barrier is largely complete that will make sure high-speed and freight trains stay separated in the event of an accident. When complete, the trench will cross under SR 180, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct, construction crews have begun to extend the structure across State Route 99 south of Fresno. Rebar for support piers is springing up on either side of State Route 99, as ironworkers construct the columns that will soon be filled with concrete. Drilling in the median for pier foundations has also begun at night to minimize disruption to highway traffic from lane closures. The viaduct will eventually be connected to the Muscat Viaduct a little further to the south.

Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

At the northern end of Construction Package 1, the overcrossing for Road 27 in Madera County continues to take shape as crews build the support structures for the coming placement of concrete girders. Due to the geometry of Road 27 as it crosses the railroad tracks, the spans of this bridge are very long. Contractor TPZP is using precast spliced girders for the superstructure to achieve the distances needed. Shorter precast girders will be set on temporary falsework bents, which are being built between the concrete bents. Once the girders have been set beginning in August, they will be post-tensioned and the ends enclosed in concrete to form the superstructure. Underground utility work is also ongoing on the south side of the job site. Once the remaining utility relocations are complete, access roads for local homes and embankment will begin. Ultimately, the bridge will be over 700 feet long with the longest span stretching 198 feet.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 15, just east of Road 29 in Madera County, concrete has been poured for the west side abutment footing, while on the east side, a cast in-place wall will be constructed on either side of the abutment once it has been built. The piers for a supporting bent structure have been poured and falsework will be erected to form the bent cap. Eventually, concrete girders will link the abutments with the supporting bent to form the superstructure of the bridge.

Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

Crews have now set the girders for the section of the Avenue 12 overcrossing that goes over the BNSF freight tracks, and continue to tie rebar for an eventual concrete pour at the deck section further to the west. The crossing just east of Madera Community College, will take traffic over the high-speed rail alignment and the freight tracks. Construction has also begun on the cast-in-place walls extending off the abutments, which will retain the earthen embankment.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

Also in Madera County, crews have constructed the bridge deck for the Avenue 11 overcrossing and are getting it ready for a concrete pour planned within the next few weeks. This crossing, east of Road 30 ½, will take traffic over the high-speed rail alignment.

Avenue 8 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 8 in Madera County, the precast deck panels which act as the underside (or soffit) of the bridge deck have been set and crews are tying deck rebar for a single span bridge east of State Route 99. The block retaining walls have been completed on either side of the abutments and fill dirt placed to finish the slope leading up to the bridge. The concrete deck pour will be completed after Avenue 11.

Avenue 7 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 7 and Road 33 in Madera County, concrete girders have been set to begin construction of the upper portion of the bridge known as the superstructure. Deck panels for this structure have been set on both spans. This crossing will straighten out a bend in Avenue 7 while realigning Road 33 and allow traffic to cross over the high-speed rail tracks east of State Route 99.

Featured Project: Pond Road | Kern County

On Construction Package 4, just north of Wasco in Kern County, crews have been drilling shafts, setting rebar columns and pouring concrete for the foundation of a structure that will carry high-speed trains over Pond Road. A total of 10 shafts were drilled and poured on the north side of the roadway while another eight had to be constructed on the south side.

Girder Facility Under Construction

Rising from a field just outside of Hanford is a facility the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else in the state.

“They just don’t do this in California,” says foreman Mick Wilson.

This is a girder manufacturing facility built by Construction Package 2-3 design builder Dragados-Flatiron Joint Venture (DFJV). What makes this facility so unique? The speed at which the girders can be created.

“If you did it right, you could do a whole bridge in one week here,” says Wilson. In fact, Wilson explains that depending on length, as many as eight girders could be made all at one time. It’s that capacity that separates the facility from any others in the state and a capacity that will be needed for this stretch of the high-speed rail program.

“We’re going to be building around 1,300 different kinds of beams plus almost half a million precast slabs,” explains project manager Juan Gasca. He says the facility was originally conceived in late 2017 when DFJV couldn’t find a company to meet its needs and schedule.

By March of 2018, the facility was under construction with the help of several small businesses across the state.

“Small suppliers for tools and different hardware companies,” explains Gasca. “All the electrical for the plant is being installed by Preferred Power Solution, it’s a small woman-owned company from Bakersfield. All the rebar in the plant is being installed by Martinez Steel, a small company.”

And it’s not just the businesses that are benefiting. Gasca estimates that 95 percent of the 25-30 people working at the facility are from the area. That includes batch plant operator Javier Velasquez, who has called Hanford home since he was 20.

Velasquez has worked in construction for three decades but says he’s hardly ever worked this close to home, working around the state and the country.

“On the weekends we’d come home, like if we work in the Bay Area, San Francisco, whatever. But when we work out of state maybe (we’d) just come home once a month... maybe once every three months, so it’s kind of hard.”

So what’s it like working so close to home?

Velasquez says he has the opportunity to tackle the honey-do list that has grown quite lengthy after all these years. Still, for him, there truly is no place like home.

“This feels like it’s not work. It feels good, it feels real good.”

Featured Project: Road 27 | Madera

At the overcrossing for Road 27 in Madera County, crews are busy preparing for the placement of concrete girders next month. Here at the northern end of Construction Package 1, the Road 27 overcrossing will take traffic over the high-speed rail line and existing tracks for BNSF.

The Road 27 overpass is a unique structure compared to the others currently being constructed in Madera County. Due to the geometry of Road 27 as it crosses the BNSF and high-speed rail corridor, the spans of this bridge are long.

Design-builder Tutor-Perini/Zachry/Parsons (TPZP) is using precast spliced girders for the superstructure to achieve the distances needed. Shorter precast girders are set on temporary falsework bents. The girders are then post-tensioned and the ends enclosed in concrete to unify the superstructure. Ultimately, the bridge will be over 700 feet long with the longest span stretching 198 feet.

Davis Avenue Geotech Testing | South Fresno County

Just west of State Route 43 in south Fresno County, crews conduct geotechnical analysis on test piles for a future overcrossing for Davis Avenue. The test piles are driven into the ground and then subjected to forces to see how the soils react. Designers will use the data collected to determine how to construct the future overcrossing that will take Davis Avenue traffic over the high-speed rail line.

Fresno Trench & SR 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

At the Fresno Trench beneath State Route 180 (SR 180), the excavation and shotcrete operation is ongoing. On one side of the trench, a crew sprays shotcrete over rebar to form the trench wall, while on the other side, another worker sprays the new surface with a curing compound to help the concrete set properly. Shotcrete is a type of concrete that is typically sprayed over rebar or metal mesh to keep dirt or material in place and is often used in constructing backyard pools. Crews have approximately 30 more feet to excavate before they reach the bottom of the trench where a concrete box that will carry the trains will be constructed. When complete, the trench will cross under SR 180, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal.

San Joaquin River Viaduct | North Fresno

Craft workers pour concrete for the pergola deck structure that will carry trains over the existing freight rail lines at the San Joaquin River Viaduct. On the south bank of the San Joaquin River crews are also busy finishing up construction of pier caps to tie together the few remaining support columns. The cast-in-place construction of the deck is also progressing, tying all the individual components of the structure together. The completed viaduct will form one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

At the Cedar Viaduct, construction crews have begun to extend the structure across State Route 99 (SR 99) south of Fresno. Drilling for support pier foundations is now well underway on either side of the highway and soon will also take place in the highway median. Shafts are being drilled nearly 90 feet deep and will be filled with rebar cages and concrete. The viaduct will eventually be connected to the Muscat Viaduct a little further to the south. One of the largest structures on Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct will be about three-quarters of a mile long when it’s complete.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 15, just east of Road 29 in Madera County, the western abutment construction for the Avenue 15 overpass continues. Dozens of shafts have been drilled, each one is three feet in diameter and 70 feet deep. The east side will have a cast-in-place wall on either side of the abutment, while the west side of the structure will have pre-cast Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall panels to retain the fill on the abutment’s north and south sides. The piers for a supporting bent structure have been poured and next falsework will be erected to construct the bent cap. Eventually, concrete girders will link the abutments with the supporting bent to form the superstructure of the bridge.

Avenue 8 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 8 in Madera County, the precast deck panels, which act as the underside (or soffit) of the bridge deck, have been set and crews are tying deck rebar for a single span bridge that will cross the high-speed rail alignment east of State Route 99. The block retaining walls have been completed on either side of the abutments and fill dirt placed to finish the slope leading up to the bridge.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

Also in Madera County, crews have constructed the bridge deck for the Avenue 11 overcrossing and are getting it ready for a concrete pour later in July. Pictured above, a crane lifts the paving machine, called a Bidwell, off the deck structure for some routine maintenance. This crossing, a little east of Road 30 ½, will take traffic over the high-speed rail alignment.

Avenue 7 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 7 and Road 33 in Madera County, a crane set 10 concrete girders to begin construction of the upper portion of the bridge known as the superstructure. Each girder was 110 feet long and weighed about 105,000 pounds. This crossing will straighten out a bend in Avenue 7 while realigning Road 33 and allowing traffic to cross over the high-speed rail tracks east of State Route 99.

2,000 Construction Jobs and Counting

A major milestone was crossed this month by the high-speed rail program as we celebrated creating the 2,000th construction job in the Central Valley.

“This project milestone represents significant progress on the nation’s first high-speed rail system,” said Chief Operating Officer Joe Hedges. “Once we expand out from the Valley to the north and the south, there are going to be hundreds of major structures that will need to be built, creating thousands of jobs and new opportunities.”

Since the start of construction in 2013, men and women from across the state have been dispatched to relocate utilities, abate and demolish structures, drill columns 80 feet into the ground and place girders on mega structures near the San Joaquin River.

For many of these workers, the opportunity to work on high-speed rail has been life-changing. Both apprentice ironworker Desrae Ruiz and her husband work on the project. She says before coming on she was working in retail and it just wasn’t providing enough for the couple and their daughter. Now she says they are able to reach goals they weren’t ever sure would be possible.

“It’s helping us a lot, it’s helping me get our house for the first time, helping me finish paying off my truck and we’re working on getting me back to school so I can reach another goal,” says Ruiz.

Apprentice ironworker Jonathan Abril shares a similar story. “Before I became an ironworker it was a check to check sort of thing, but now I’m able to save and do better for myself. Hopefully in the close future I can buy a house.”

Others who have been working the trades for years say the project is not only providing for their family financially, but also creating more time to be a family by allowing people who live in the Central Valley to work in their backyard.

“I worked seven years in LA, I worked in the Bay Area four or five years off and on, hit and miss everywhere, you know?” says journeyman rodbuster Manuel Vega. “They say for the next seven years I’ll be close to home. Can’t beat it, can’t beat it all. It’s a great feeling.”

These workers represent 21 union halls with the same goal of building the first high-speed rail system in the nation. High-speed rail will transform transportation in this state, but it is already transforming the lives of 2,000 construction workers and counting.

“It’s a good paying job, it puts a lot of people to work, if this wasn’t here all these people wouldn’t be working,” adds retired Navy investigator and now journeyman piledriver Laryl Helberg.

Featured Project: Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

One of the largest structures on Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct, will be about three quarters of a mile long when it’s completed alongside State Route 99. At the south end, crews are beginning to work on extending the structure over SR 99. Drilling for pier foundations has started, with shafts being drilled 86 feet deep on either side of the highway. A temporary concrete barrier will soon be set along the highway to create a work area that will help construct the viaduct as it is connected to the Muscat Viaduct a little further to the south. You can see a detailed look at the construction of the Cedar Viaduct by visiting the Cedar Viaduct page on BuildHSR.com.

Fresno Trench & State Route 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

At the Fresno Trench beneath State Route 180 (SR 180), construction begins on multiple elements of the trench. The excavation and shotcrete operation beneath SR180 is ongoing. Crews have excavated approximately 40 feet below the top of the freeway. To the north of SR 180, craftworkers are busy constructing the intrusion barrier walls. The barrier wall will separate the high-speed rail alignment from the existing freight rail that parallels the project. The wall will be 10 feet tall, three feet thick and extend nearly 1,200 feet in this area of the project and nearly 20,000 feet project wide. When complete, the trench will cross under SR 180, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal.

San Joaquin River Viaduct | North Fresno

On the south side of the San Joaquin River, crews are finishing up construction of pier caps to tie together the support columns. The cast-in-place construction of the deck that will carry high-speed trains is also progressing, as it links all the structures together. On the north side of the river, other crews are working on the structures where the viaduct will tie-in to embankment. The completed viaduct will form one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

State Route 99 Realignment | Central Fresno

The southbound State Route 99 Clinton Avenue and Golden State Boulevard off-ramps are now open to traffic. Work is continuing on the northbound Clinton Avenue on-ramp, which is scheduled to open when northbound traffic on SR 99 is switched to the new highway alignment in the coming weeks. At the Ashlan Avenue Bridge, crews are continuing to form and subgrade the bent caps for the structure’s abutments. Falsework construction for the new bridge has also begun. A portion of SR 99 is being realigned about 100 feet to the west to make way for the high-speed rail alignment.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 11, just east of Road 30 ½, the abutments for the overpass have been completed and bridge girders have been set. Crews are now beginning to form the bridge deck for this structure, which will take traffic over the high-speed rail alignment. A crane is seen lifting pre-cast concrete bridge deck panels onto the structure where they are carefully guided into place. Once the deck panels have been installed, the ironworkers will lay the deck steel. Next, carpenter and laborer crews will move in to form the edge of the deck and prepare for a concrete pour. Other crews have finished the block walls, which will retain the earthen embankment extending from the abutments.

Avenue 8 Grade Separation | Madera County

Girders have been set for the single span bridge at Avenue 8, which crosses the high-speed rail alignment east of State Route 99 in Madera County. The block wall leveling pads have been poured and fill-dirt is being compacted as the MSE blocks are being set for the retaining walls. Crews are currently forming and installing steel for the bridge diaphragms. Diaphragms stabilize the girders permanently and help improve load sharing of the bridge elements.

Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

A lot of activity can be seen at the northern boundary of Construction Package 1, where crews are getting closer to completing the Road 27 overcrossing. Dispatched workers were busy pouring concrete for the final supporting bent on the south side of the railroad tracks. A bent is composed of a column and cap element that the girders rest on. So far, the retaining wall on the south side of the bridge has been completed.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

Ironworkers have been hard at work setting forms and installing reinforcing rebar on the west abutment footing of the Avenue 15 overpass in Madera County. Towards the east side of the structure, drilling for the cast-in-place wall foundations that extend from each abutment is also underway. Columns for a bent have been poured and falsework will be constructed next to form the bent cap that will support the superstructure elements, such as the pre-cast girders and concrete deck.

Avenue 7 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 7 and Road 33, the abutment walls are taking shape as crews tie the rebar that will make up the interior of the abutment. The substructure is expected to be completed by the end of the month for this crossing that will straighten out Avenue 7, while realigning Road 33 and cross over the high-speed rail tracks east of State Route 99.

Featured Project: Fresno Trench & SR 180 Passageway

At the Fresno Trench, crews are excavating farther underneath State Route 180 (SR 180). Excavation will continue until the trench is about 40 feet below existing ground level. When complete, the trench will cross under SR 180, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal. Rebar has been placed for the intrusion protection barrier wall which separates the future high-speed rail alignment from the existing freight rail that parallels the project. The barrier will be 10 feet tall and extend nearly 1,200 feet in this area of the project.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

Barrier wall construction along the sides of the Cedar viaduct is nearly complete, with only a small section remaining to be poured. One of the largest structures on Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct will be about three quarters of a mile long when it’s complete alongside State Route 99. At its north end, pier and abutment construction is continuing as the viaduct heads toward Golden State Boulevard.

San Joaquin River Viadcut | North Fresno

On the south side of the San Joaquin River, crews are finishing up construction of pier caps to tie together the support columns. The construction of the deck that will carry high-speed trains has also begun to link all the structures together. Concrete has also been poured for the pergola section at the southern end of the work area where high-speed trains will cross over the existing freight line. The completed viaduct will form one of the largest structures on this first phase of the high-speed rail project.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

With the abutments completed and bridge girders set, crews are about to begin forming the bridge deck for this structure which will take Avenue 11 traffic over the high-speed train alignment east of Road 30 ½ in Madera County. Other crews are now working on the mechanically stabilized earthen (MSE) block walls which will retain the earthen embankment extending from the abutments.

State Route 99 Realignment | Central Fresno

Southbound State Route 99 traffic is now largely on new concrete pavement south of Ashlan Avenue in central Fresno. On the Clinton Avenue bridge, work is still ongoing on the structure’s north side for the final northbound entrance and southbound exit ramps and auxiliary lanes. Shifting the mainline about 100 feet to the west helps avoid high-speed rail impacts to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and a busy freight railway yard.

Avenue 8 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 8, west of Road 33, girders were recently set for the one span bridge that will cross the high-speed train alignment. The MSE block wall leveling pad has been poured and the MSE blocks will start to be set this month. Crews are about to begin forming the bridge deck.

Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

MSE walls are complete on either side of the Avenue 12 bridge embankment, retaining the earthen fill on either side of the bridge. Earthmoving equipment is now working on the roadway grade. The dirt operation will focus on compacting the fill dirt that will carry traffic to the bridge structure and over the future high speed rail line.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

At Avenue 15, just east of Road 29, the drilling operation finished the western abutment and has moved east of the tracks to begin drilling the eastern abutment. A carpenter crew and ironworkers have mobilized on the west abutment footing; setting forms and installing reinforcing bar. Column forms for a bent (a bent is composed of a column and cap element that the girders rest on) will be removed next and falsework set around the columns. Once the falsework is complete, the forming of the bent cap will begin.

Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

The abutments and support structures for the Road 27 grade separation are nearing completion. Crews are constructing the bent cap for the bridge substructure, while to the south of the bridge, crews are setting the concrete forms for what will become a retaining wall along the west side of the road. Once the wall is completed fill dirt will be trucked in and placed to raise the road to the level of the crossing over the tracks.

Construction Package 4 Work Begins

Crews began the first permanent work for Construction Package 4, drilling shafts and pouring concrete for support piers on what will be a high-speed train crossing over Garces Highway in Kern County. The structure will have eight support columns on the south side of the highway and 10 on the north side, each one drilled about 80-feet deep. Then a rebar column weighing about 17,000 pounds will be lowered into the shaft and concrete pumped into the hole. These will form the foundation for piers that will support a bridge structure to carry high-speed trains about 15 feet above Garces Highway.

Fresno Trench & SR 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

At the Fresno Trench, crews have broken through to the south side of State Route 180 and are excavating further underneath the highway. Excavation will continue until the trench is about 40 feet below existing ground level. When complete, the trench will cross under State Route 180, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal. The Dry Creek Canal phase 1 construction which involved re-lining sections of the canal is wrapping up in time for the irrigation season to begin. Construction has begun for the protective barrier that separates the high-speed rail alignment from the existing freight line that parallels the project. The barrier is 10 feet tall and will extend nearly 1,200 feet in this area of the project.

San Joaquin River Viadcut | North Fresno

On the south side of the San Joaquin River, crews are finishing up construction of pier caps to tie together the support columns. Once that process is complete, girders will be set to begin construction of a deck that high-speed trains will use to connect to the pergola section further south. The viaduct will carry high-speed trains over the river and freight line to form one of the largest structures on this first phase of the project.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

One of the largest parts of Construction Package 1, the Cedar Viaduct will be about three-quarters of a mile long when it’s complete alongside State Route 99. At its north end, pier construction is continuing as the viaduct heads toward Golden State Boulevard. Barrier wall construction along the sides of the structure is the next activity planned.

State Route 99 Realignment | Central Fresno

Southbound State Route 99 traffic is now largely on new concrete pavement near Clinton Avenue in central Fresno. Shifting the mainline about 100 feet to the west helps avoid impacts to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and a busy freight railroad yard.

Avenue 11 Grade Separation | Madera County

With the east and west abutments complete, girders have now been set for this single span crossing. Crews are now working on the bridge deck for the structure that will take Avenue 11 traffic over the high-speed train alignment east of Road 30 ½ in Madera County. Crews have installed overhang and handrails on the exterior of the girders to enable workers to access the superstructure of the bridge.

Avenue 15 Grade Separation | Madera County

Earthmoving continues for the overcrossing of Avenue 15 in Madera County. Some excavation is also beginning in the area of the structure where a section will cross over the existing freight line. Final utility relocations are planned next, which will enable further construction to begin.

Road 27 Grade Separation | Madera County

On the north side of the work zone, the abutment and one support structure, known as a bent, are largely complete, while on the south side crews are still constructing the support piers and setting concrete forms. The crossing will take traffic over an existing freight line and the high-speed rail line north of the town of Madera.

New High-Speed rail CEO and COO Tour Central Valley Construction

The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (Authority) newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Brian P. Kelly, and Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Hedges, visited construction sites in Fresno County in mid February. They used the opportunity to meet with workers and small businesses building the nation’s first high-speed rail system.

“I am thrilled to be back in the Central Valley to get an up-close look at the work being done to deliver high-speed rail for the people of California,” said Authority CEO Brian P. Kelly. “This transformative project has helped create thousands of jobs and has bolstered economic activity for hundreds of small businesses throughout the state. Today, Fresno is the epicenter for this vital economic development.”

Their tour included a stop at the San Joaquin River viaduct in north Fresno. This 4,700-foot viaduct runs adjacent to Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks and spans the San Joaquin River. A pergola structure is also featured to allow high-speed trains to cross over the top of UPRR and into the City of Fresno.

To date, more than 240 certified small businesses are working on Construction Packages 1-4, with as many as 1,700 workers dispatched to construction sites. More than 1,200 of those workers reside in the Central Valley.
Click below to see video of CEO Kelly’s tour and hear his thoughts on the project.

Avenue 12 Grade Separation | Madera County

A major milestone has been reached at the overcrossing for Avenue 12 in Madera County. Girders have been set for the bridge that will take traffic over the high-speed rail section of the crossing. Crews are now starting the preparatory work for the superstructure. This preparatory work includes installing overhang brackets on the exterior girders for a walkway, handrails for the crews, and installing safety tie off components on top of the girders to keep the crews safe. The structure will eventually carry traffic over the high-speed rail and a nearby freight line, a little east of Madera Community College.

Fresno Trench & SR 180 Passageway | Central Fresno

At the Fresno Trench, crews have broken through to the south side of State Route 180 and are excavating further underneath the highway. When complete, the trench will cross under SR 180, a rail spur and the Dry Creek Canal. The section of the canal where the high-speed trains will cross is currently being capped. Under the highway, steel beams are in place to provide support for the trench walls, while excavation will continue until the trench is about 40 feet below ground level.

San Joaquin River Viaduct | North Fresno

Workers continue constructing the deck of the pergola section of the San Joaquin River Viaduct, tying rebar in preparation for a concrete deck pour. On the south side of the San Joaquin River, other crews build pier caps to tie together the viaduct support columns. The viaduct will carry high speed trains over the river and existing freight tracks to form one of the largest structures on this first phase of high-speed rail construction.

Cedar Viaduct | South Fresno

Concrete has now been placed for the deck section of the Cedar Viaduct that crosses over North Avenue, creating a structure about a half-mile long. Ultimately, the completed Cedar Viaduct will span about three quarters of a mile alongside State Route 99. At the north end of the viaduct, concrete is being poured for the shaft of another support structure as the viaduct construction heads toward Golden State Boulevard.

Road 27 | Madera County

Preparing for a concrete pour, workers continue constructing the support structure, referred to as a bent, on the north side of the rail crossing for Road 27 in Madera County. Relocation of a power line that impacted construction on the south side of the tracks has allowed pier construction to begin there as well. The crossing will take traffic over an existing freight line and the future high-speed rail lines.

Avenue 15 | Madera County

Earth moving has begun for the overcrossing of Avenue 15 in Madera County. Fill dirt is being trucked to the site to raise the grade about 10 feet on either side of a power line while waiting for utility relocation. Dirt is trucked to the site then worked and compacted for the crossing that will take Avenue 15 traffic over the high speed and existing freight lines.

Avenue 11 | Madera County

The east and west abutments have been poured for this single span bridge which will cross over the high-speed train alignment. Crews have begun to strip the abutment forms. Fill dirt has also been placed to on either side of the structure which will take traffic over the high-speed line east of Road 30 ½ in Madera County. Next, the site will be graded and prepared for girders to be landed on the structure.

Avenue 8 | Madera County

Abutment construction is underway for the overcrossing at Avenue 8. Crews have installed rebar and are now placing the concrete forms for the abutments that are going up just east of State Route 99 in Madera County. Fill dirt has already been brought to the site and will be tied into the structure that will eventually become a bridge to take traffic over the high-speed trains.

Avenue 7 | Madera County

Bent falsework has been erected around the columns in anticipation of the bent cap construction. The bent cap will sit upon the columns and support the girders. To the east and west of the bent, abutment footings have been poured, forms stripped, and the site backfilled. Carpenter and laborer crews have begun to build the abutment wall to the north of the structure. The wall forms will then be placed onto the abutments and reinforcing crews will mobilize to install the rebar.