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Board approves solicitation for Fresno Station early works; package totals $58.09 million
Summary
The High‑Speed Rail Authority approved solicitation for construction bids and an award-to-lowest-bidder approach for a Fresno early works construction package covering a renovated historic depot, H Street and G Street (Chinatown) early works, and a Chinatown mobility hub.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority board on May 1 approved staff to solicit construction bids for an early works package at the future Fresno station and to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with the public contract code. The package includes renovation of the historic Fresno depot, early works at the H Street entrance and early works at the G Street (Chinatown) entrance; the G Street work includes a mobility hub with transit vehicle charging, scooter and bike parking.
Staff told the board the package is funded with a mix of state and federal dollars and that the total project cost is $58,090,000. The authority estimated construction and closeout will take roughly 27 months, making the site and facilities ready for occupancy in late 2027 to early 2028.
Why it matters: The early works are intended to prepare the site for the future high-speed rail station building and related redevelopment, including seismic and ADA renovations to the historic depot, utility relocations, stormwater and paving improvements, parking and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and transit integration at the Chinatown entrance.
Board discussion and context: Directors asked about the funding split and contingency. A director noted an 80/20 federal/state split for many recent items and raised concerns about a potential roughly $40 million shortfall if federal funding failed to arrive; staff said program-wide contingency exists and that contracts include contingent-funding and termination language. Staff also noted the depot renovation is covered by a separate RAISE 2023 grant for that component.
Vote and implementation: The motion to solicit bids and to award to the lowest responsible bidder, with staff directions recorded in the meeting, passed on a roll-call vote (motion by Director Scutia, second by Director Schenck). Staff will complete solicitation documents and issue for solicitation in Q3 2025, with contract award and notice to proceed scheduled for December 2025 and a planned groundbreaking in early 2026.
