California’s high-speed rail project is moving into a pivotal phase, with the state’s High-Speed Rail Authority outlining its anticipated 2026 milestones during the Board of Directors meeting on November 20.
CEO Ian Choudri detailed the upcoming steps the project will take as it bids to push closer to operational readiness, even as federal funding questions loom over its future.
Why it Matters
The California High-Speed Rail project, intended to link San Francisco and Los Angeles, remains the only active bullet train construction effort in the United States. Its progress is critical to California’s climate and infrastructure goals but has faced years of delays, scrutiny over costs, and now an ongoing dispute over $4 billion in federal funding.
What To Know
In his report, CEO Ian Choudri set out these milestones and accomplishments expected in 2026:
- Railhead facility ready for operationalization
- Clean Energy Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) & procurement
- Commoditized rail materials begin delivery
- Co-development partnership awarded & onboarded
- New approach to solicit program delivery services launched by mid-year
- Track and systems construction contract awarded
- 119-mile civil works substantially completed
- High-speed track laying begins
The business plan envisions releasing a draft in February and final approval by May 2026, focusing on revenue growth, cost reduction, and expanding private investment.
Partnerships with local agencies—such as Metrolink and the Transbay Joint Powers Authority—are aimed at optimizing costs and ridership…