Credit: CA. HSR
Executed agreement establishes co-development partnership to evaluate accelerated delivery, private investment and public-private partnership opportunities for high-speed rail expansion
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The California High-Speed Rail Authority has launched its first co-development partnership with Momentum Alliance Partners, a global consortium of rail, infrastructure and investment firms, to evaluate accelerated expansion of the nation’s first true high-speed rail system through public-private partnership delivery models, private investment and long-term commercialization opportunities.
June 25, 2026 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has executed a Co Development Agreement (CDA) with Momentum Alliance Partners, a global consortium of high-speed rail, infrastructure and investment firms positioned to help finance and deliver future high-speed rail expansion projects through potential public-private partnership models and long-term infrastructure commercialization opportunities.
Momentum Alliance Partners includes internationally recognized firms specializing in infrastructure investment, rail operations, engineering, systems integration and commercial development, including Plenary Americas, CDPQ Infra, Keolis, SNCF Voyageurs, Jacobs, Sener, SYSTRA, Setec, Arup and Steer.
The agreement marks a significant step in the Authority’s effort to position California high-speed rail for commercially viable expansion into the state’s major population centers. Over the past year, the Authority has advanced a business-focused delivery strategy centered on right-sizing infrastructure, accelerating revenue-generating segments, strengthening long-term funding certainty and identifying opportunities for private sector participation.
Unlike a traditional consulting agreement, the CDA establishes a collaborative predevelopment partnership intended to evaluate future delivery opportunities through public-private partnership models.
“Over the past year, the Authority has taken significant steps to reposition California high-speed rail around a more commercially focused and delivery-oriented strategy designed to accelerate expansion into the state’s major population centers. This agreement reflects growing market confidence in that strategy and the long-term potential of California high-speed rail as a transformative investment in California’s future. As construction advances and we prepare to begin high-speed rail track installation this year, partnerships like this allow us to evaluate how private-sector expertise, financing and delivery models could help accelerate system expansion," said Ian Choudri, Authority CEO
With execution of this agreement, the partnership enters an initial six month predevelopment and delivery evaluation phase focused on identifying viable strategies to accelerate future system expansion beyond the segment currently under active construction between Merced and Bakersfield. The consortium will evaluate infrastructure sequencing, delivery models, financing strategies, operational concepts and opportunities for private sector participation in future expansion segments. This work builds on significant ongoing construction progress in the Central Valley, where the Authority plans to begin the western hemisphere’s first high-speed rail track and systems installation later this year.
Momentum Alliance Partners will also assess long term commercialization opportunities associated with the high-speed rail corridor, including broadband and fiber networks, data infrastructure, utility and transmission corridors, station area development, and strategic land use partnerships. These types of integrated corridor opportunities are commonly used in major global infrastructure programs to strengthen long-term financial sustainability and support future system expansion. Combined with the Authority’s clean energy exploration, this work supports long term asset commercialization and reduced reliance on taxpayer funding.
Momentum Alliance Partners brings experience in financing, developing, constructing, operating and commercializing major rail and infrastructure projects globally and could support future delivery phases should the Authority advance subsequent partnership opportunities.
To learn more about the Authority’s initial step toward engaging private investors, view the December 2025 news release: https://hsr.ca.gov/2025/12/23/news-release-california-high-speed-rail-launches-process-to-draw-in-private-investors/
For more information on the Co Development Agreement, visit:
https://hsr.ca.gov/business-opportunities/procurements/architectural-engineering-and-capital-contracts/co-development-agreement-request-for-qualifications/
About Momentum Alliance Partners
Momentum Alliance Partners is a consortium of internationally recognized rail, infrastructure, engineering, operations and investment firms with deep experience delivering major transportation systems around the world, including Montreal’s REM, the Grand Paris Express and portions of the California high-speed rail and Brightline West programs. The partnership combines expertise in infrastructure delivery, systems integration, rail operations, commercial strategy, financing and long-term asset commercialization to support evaluation of future high-speed rail expansion opportunities in California.
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. More than 80 miles of guideway are complete, along with 61 fully completed major structures and 30 more structures 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.
Throughout construction, the project has created nearly 19,200 good-paying jobs – most filled by Central Valley residents – and generated nearly $25 billion in economic impact and growth across the state. 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.com
Source: CA. HSR
