Stantec has been selected to design the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s extension from Merced to Madera, a key section between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The extension covers 33.9 miles and will include 40 structures. The Merced to Madera design contract is valued at CS55 million (US$41 million), which is expected to be delivered over about two years.
Stantec will finalize the project configuration footprint, advance design work to refine costs and travel-time enhancements, and map right-of-way needs and utility relocations. The Merced to Madera section is the key junction that will connect the 500-mile-long project between the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
“The California High-Speed Rail Authority has embraced a goal of guiding the evolution of California’s transportation infrastructure into a vibrant, dynamic system that not only achieves an attractive mode of transportation for our communities, but serves as an important economic driver within California,” said Jose de Jesus Martinez, Stantec’s project/contract manager. “We are proud to be part of a better and more sustainable transportation future for California.”
The project will be partially funded by CS34 million (US$25 million) in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.
“High-speed rail is going to improve the transportation landscape in California, with the potential to impact transportation on a national level,” said Brian Norris, Stantec’s transportation business line leader. “We see the future of transportation as clean, green and better designed for passengers and communities. California High-Speed Rail is a significant step in the right direction.”
Stantec has worked with California High-Speed Rail for eight years, including as project/construction manager on Construction Package 2-3. For this project, Stantec will lead a team of local, international, small business enterprise, disadvantaged business enterprise and disabled veteran business enterprise firms.
