December 6, 2023 - WASHINGTON - After months of working with the Biden administration, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) secured a major $3.1 billion federal grant through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This monumental investment will help the California High-Speed Rail Authority advance projects in Bakersfield, Hanford, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Selma, Shafter, and Wasco, California.

In April, Congressman Costa along with Senator Alex Padilla, the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) led 28 California lawmakers in calling on the Department of Transportation to issue these grants to the California High-Speed Rail Authority. 

“For decades, I’ve worked to make California’s high-speed rail system a reality. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I helped pass; we now have significant investment to make major progress. I worked to secure this $3.1 billion federal grant to ensure continued economic growth and investments in California’s San Joaquin Valley. I want to thank President Biden, Governor Newsom, and our partners. We still have much more work to be done.” said Congressman Costa.

The $3.1 billion in funding for the California High-Speed Rail Authority will support activities including: 

• Final design and right-of-way acquisition for the Merced extension from Madera to Merced

• Bakersfield extension from Poplar Avenue in Shafter to Bakersfield

• Civil, track, and systems construction for the 13-mile Bakersfield Interim extension

• Design and construction of Fresno Station

• Design and procurement of trainsets, as well as design and construction of trainset facilities 

Earlier this year, Costa announced over $200 million in grants for the California High-Speed Rail Authority through the Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program. 
Source: Congressman Jim Costa