Credit: CA. HSR

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Authority CEO Ian Choudri appointed to serve as Vice Chair of the International Union of Railways (UIC) North American Regional Assembly and will represent on the UIC’s Executive Board.

September 29, 2025 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has announced CEO Ian Choudri has been appointed as the new Vice Chair of the International Union of Railways (UIC) North American Regional Assembly (NARA) and named as a representative on the UIC Executive Board for a two-year term. Choudri will serve alongside NARA Chair Mario Peloquin, CEO of VIA Rail Canada, to represent the North American Region at the UIC Executive Board and General Assembly.

“I thank the UIC and NARA for this opportunity to represent California’s high-speed rail project on the international stage and help usher in a new era of transportation here in North America. California is leading the way by delivering the first true high-speed rail project in North America, and I look forward to working with the UIC and NARA to continue this progress," said Ian Choudri, Authority CEO

The UIC is a worldwide professional association with a mission to promote rail transportation globally and facilitate coordination and cooperation between six individual regions across the world. NARA is comprised of railroad and government regulators and associations from the United States, Canada and Mexico.

High-Speed Rail Progress

Work continues daily on the high-speed rail project, with 171 miles currently under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield. Nearly 70 miles of guideway are complete, along with nearly 60 fully completed structures; an additional 29 structures are underway across Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties.

The project continues to advance statewide, with 463 miles of the 494-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim system fully environmentally cleared and construction ready.

Since construction began, the project has created more than 16,100 good-paying jobs—most filled by Central Valley residents. Up to 1,700 workers report to high-speed rail construction sites each day.

For the latest on high-speed rail construction, visit www.buildhsr.comExternal Link.

Source: CA. HSR