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High‑Speed Rail CEO outlines funding, procurement and track RFP timeline; board told Merced‑Bakersfield costs fell
Summary
CEO Chaudhry told the board Oct. 9 that a recent funding package and internal changes have stabilized the program; staff plan procurements including A&E IDIQ pools and a track-and‑systems construction solicitation to be released this winter.
At the California High‑Speed Rail Authority board meeting Oct. 9, CEO Chaudhry reviewed a year of organizational changes, a new funding platform and upcoming procurements intended to accelerate construction and reduce costs.
Chaudhry said the administration, legislature and the authority reached a funding platform that includes a cap‑and‑trade commitment described in public remarks as $1 billion per year through 2045; the CEO listed that revenue stream as a basis against which the authority can pursue financing. Chaudhry said the authority posted responses to a public private partnership RFEI and expects to select private partners to advance parts of the program by mid‑2026.
On cost and design, Chaudhry said the authority revised design criteria and organizational processes and that those changes reduced the Merced–Bakersfield estimate by $14 billion, as presented in the authority’s project update report. He said the authority…
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