California Construction News staff writer
California’s high-speed rail project reached a milestone this month, with completion of the Whitley Avenue underpass, a major infrastructure component in the Central Valley segment of the statewide rail system.
The underpass, located east of Corcoran between State Routes 43 and 137, is the second major structure completed this year and replaces a former at-grade crossing. It will allow vehicles and pedestrians to travel beneath the future high-speed rail line — part of the ongoing construction of the 119-mile Merced-to-Bakersfield stretch.
“This is a prime example of how we can overcome challenges — including Mother Nature — and continue building toward a future with 100 percent electrified rail,” said Garth Fernandez, Central Valley regional director for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. “We continue to make progress and remain committed to completing several more structures across the Central Valley this year, including some of our largest viaducts.”
Built in partnership with Dragados-Flatiron Joint Venture, the Whitley Avenue underpass is a cast-in-place concrete box culvert spanning more than 128 feet and offering 17 feet of vertical clearance. Construction involved 4,497 cubic yards of concrete and over 1.5 million pounds of reinforced steel.
Work started in March 2023 but was temporarily paused due to a series of atmospheric river storms that caused severe flooding in Kings and Tulare counties. In response to requests from local emergency services, the Authority and its contractors reopened the roadway within 24 hours to serve residents and emergency responders. Whitley Avenue remained open until September 2023, when construction resumed and continued through this year.
The underpass is one of 222 planned grade separations for the Central Valley portion of the project. Of the 93 structures needed to support rail track installation, more than 50 are complete, and more than 30 are currently under construction across Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties.
While progress continues, the project remains a target of political criticism. Former President Donald Trump has labeled it a “waste,” and California Republicans have called for an end to future federal funding. Despite the opposition, state officials say they are committed to completing the project
Currently, 171 miles of high-speed rail between Merced and Bakersfield are under design and construction. More than 60 miles of guideway have been built, forming the foundation for the eventual rail system.
Since construction began, the project has created over 15,000 construction jobs, the majority going to Central Valley residents. Nearly 1,600 workers are active on high-speed rail sites daily.
It’s nice it brought jobs to the area. But the project is way over budget and behind. And the real question is who’s going to ride it? If this thing ever gets done. It will be California’s version of Amtrak. To put it bluntly this is a union make work project.