en.Wedoany.com Reported - The California High-Speed Rail Authority has approved the release of the next phase of procurement for a major construction contract on the Merced-to-Madera extension. The Authority's Board authorized the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a collaborative design-build civil works contract covering subgrade, structures, and road improvements in this section. This procurement is part of the plan to extend the high-speed rail network northward from existing construction projects.
The collaborative design-build approach allows shortlisted contractors to work with the project team during the design phase to optimize solutions, reduce construction risks, and improve cost and schedule certainty before the final contract award. The RFQ is expected to be released in summer 2026, with two bidding teams anticipated to be shortlisted and begin early collaboration by the end of the year. Major construction for this segment is expected to take place between late 2027 and 2030, with a contract value of approximately $2.4 billion. Authority CEO Ian Choudri stated that this move is accelerating the work needed to bring clean, electrified high-speed rail to more Californians, starting in Merced, and delivering an operating Central Valley segment is a key step toward connecting the state's major population centers in Northern and Southern California.
Alongside the procurement announcement, the Board also received an update on the Cal CLEAN Partnership Agreement. This agreement is a proposed public-private partnership focused on securing clean electricity supply for future rail operations. Under the proposal, a selected private partner would conduct a six-month assessment at no cost to the Authority to identify opportunities for renewable energy generation, infrastructure commercialization, and measures to enhance energy resilience before considering a future development agreement. This initiative aims to support the Authority's statutory goal of operating the railway without ongoing taxpayer subsidies. It also complements the recently announced co-development agreement with Momentum Alliance Partners LLC, which is studying options to accelerate delivery and increase private sector participation in the project.
Statements of qualifications for the clean energy partnership are expected to be submitted this summer, with the Authority planning to select a preferred partner by August 2026 and begin the initial project identification phase in September. Across the California High-Speed Rail project, construction activities continue, with 171 miles currently in design or construction between Merced and Bakersfield. Over 80 miles of guideway and 61 major structures have been completed, with another 30 structures under construction in Madera, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties. Of the planned 494-mile route connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles and Anaheim, environmental permits have been approved for 463 miles.
