California’s US$310bn high-speed mass rail system plan

Render of a high-speed train in California, US. (Image courtesy California High-Speed Rail)

Governor Gavin Newsom announced the project – dubbed the State Rail Plan – on 7 January.

The sprawling high-speed electrified network would stretch across an area more than 500 miles (nearly 900km) long from north to south (Chico to San Diego) with multiple lines running east and west into major metros like San Francisco, San Jose and also Las Vegas, in the neighbouring State of Nevada.

The network is said to include intercity, regional, and local transit systems, with a stated goal of making train travel “a more attractive option compared to car or air travel.”

The challenges of building California High-Speed Rail

The scheme seeks to increase mobility across every region of California by creating what state government called “a world-class, fully integrated, zero-emission rail network that connects seamlessly with other transportation modes.”

The state said the rail system is designed to produce zero emissions and could create up to 900,000 jobs.

Map of the proposed US$310 billion high-speed rail network in California, US. (Image courtesy the State of California)

“By 2050, every Californian should be able to choose rail as a way to get to their destination, near or far. Our rail plan is ambitious, but as the world’s fifth largest economy bursting with talent and innovation, we’re ready to take on this challenge,” Newsom said.

The state said it hopes to increase train travel by its residents by 18%. At present, California rail travel represents just 2% of travelled miles in the state.

“This would shift nearly 200 million daily passenger miles from highways to the statewide rail and transit network, significantly reducing road congestion and carbon pollution,” added the state.

A high-speed link between San Francisco and Los Angeles is already in the works, with construction on what could be a $100 billion build picking up again this year after clearing an environmental hurdle. Another line in San Bernardino is expected to start service later this year, while a San Francisco to San Jose corridor opened in September last year. The project has suffered large cost overruns and delays. 

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