The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Board of Directors has approved a contractor to design track and overhead contact systems (OCS), bringing electrified high-speed rail in the United States a step closer.
A joint venture between SYSTRA and TYPSA will work to develop OCS for a 171-mile route connecting Merced and Bakersfield in central California.
SYSTRA and TYPSA have worked together for more than two decades and partnered with rail and transit agencies in California for more than 35 years.
Tom Richards, Chair of the Board of Directors, said: “Getting track and systems design under contract is an important milestone in movement to bring high-speed rail service to California.
"This approval gets us closer to electrified passenger rail service and putting this transformative project into operation as soon as possible."
With an initial value of $131.2 million, the contract will allow the Authority to:
- Produce high-level designs for track and OCS for the 171-mile route
- Design the track system, including the track structure, OCS, access walkways, fencing and drainage
- Manage technical and non-technical interfaces with contractors
This action comes months after the Authority released a shortlist of potential suppliers for electrified high-speed trains in California. The new track and OCS design services contract is an important step in the procurement strategy.
119 miles of the eventual 171-mile electrified high-speed route are currently under construction, with 25 active construction sites in California’s Central Valley.
Image credit: Californian High-Speed Rail Authority
