Archinect - News2024-05-14T10:55:26-04:00https://archinect.com/news/article/150345227/foster-partners-and-arup-to-deliver-first-four-california-high-speed-rail-stations
Foster + Partners​ and Arup to deliver first four California High-Speed Rail stations Josh Niland2023-04-05T17:45:00-04:00>2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00
<img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/35/35855c3e40cd587b24eb9999b12a4c1b.jpeg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>A joint venture of <a href="https://archinect.com/fosterandpartners" target="_blank">Foster + Partners</a> and <a href="https://archinect.com/aruparchitects" target="_blank">Arup</a> will design the first four <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/389017/california-high-speed-rail" target="_blank">California High-Speed Rail</a> stations in the state’s Central Valley region, the firms announced this week.</p>
<p>The plans they are developing for the transit organization will eventually deliver stations in Fresno, Kings/Tulare, Merced, and Bakersfield, serving the ambitious but still heavily <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150343167/california-s-high-speed-rail-costs-balloon-again-to-128-billion" target="_blank">scrutinized</a> project’s initial 171-mile segment in an area that’s home to roughly 6.5 million people.</p>
<p>The joint venture announced its intentions of working with local interests during the two-stage Notice to Proceed (NTP) design and development process following the delivery of a "system-wide vision plan" for the proposed 500-mile project that will become America's first-ever high-speed railway.</p>
<figure><p><a href="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/98/98acc5b8c74d93d2711f095690af86ed.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&w=1028" target="_blank"><img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/98/98acc5b8c74d93d2711f095690af86ed.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&w=514"></a></p><figcaption>Image courtesy Foster + Partners</figcaption></figure><p>Stefan Behling, Head of Studio for Foster + Partners, said: "After delivering our systemwide vision plan, we are now delighted to be working with Arup on detailed designs for the network’s first four station...</p>
https://archinect.com/news/article/150343167/california-s-high-speed-rail-costs-balloon-again-to-128-billion
California’s High Speed Rail costs balloon again to $128 billion Josh Niland2023-03-20T19:41:00-04:00>2023-03-20T19:41:46-04:00
<img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/2e/2e19465c1b94fbd21c6accdfd7a10f14.jpeg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>The price tag for the rail system has risen to $128 billion, according to a California High Speed Rail Authority project update report — a nearly 22% uptick from the previous figure of $105 billion from last year and a far cry from the $33 billion cost voters approved in 2008. The latest increases are due to “inflation/escalation, enhanced scope definition and greater contingency for risk,” per the report.</p></em><br /><br /><p>The cost imbalance has reportedly pushed back the Merced-to-Bakersefield segment’s targeted start of service from 2030 by up to three years, according to the CEO of the Rail Authority Brian P. Kelly.</p>
<p>Plans now are for at least the 119-mile segment that’s currently <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150302497/california-s-high-speed-rail-project-could-be-going-in-a-new-direction" target="_blank">under construction</a> in the Central Valley to be completed while the project waits on the tens of billions worth of outstanding federal grant funding that are still pending approval by the government. </p>
<p>The headache mirrors the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/09/parts-hs2-delayed-two-years-cut-soaring-costs-rail-project" target="_blank">troubles</a> the HS2 line is having in England. In his <a href="https://hsr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-Project-Update-Report-FINAL-022823.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> to the state, Kelly lamented the hamstrung funding, saying: “Megaprojects that last for decades need long-term, stable funding. Every country around the world that has built high-speed rail has dedicated billions of dollars over several decades to see it through. We don’t have one penny of state support for this project identified after 2030.”</p>