November 13, 2022 - TRA Newswire -

Dallas-based AECOM (NYSE: ACM) a major infrastructure consulting firm, announced that its joint venture has been selected by the California High-Speed Rail Authority to provide program management support for the California High-Speed Rail initiative, a first in the nation electrified high-speed rail line that will connect cities across California with frequent train service exceeding 200 miles per hour.

The program is currently under active construction and advanced design in California along 171 miles between the cities of Merced and Bakersfield. To date the project has created more than 9,000 labor jobs. 

“We look forward to working with the Authority to help deliver this important investment that is poised to be one of the most transformative infrastructure programs in U.S. history,” said Lara Poloni, AECOM’s president. “The California High-Speed Rail program is world-class, epitomizing the positive impacts we’re generating through our Sustainable Legacies strategy. The program’s foundational environmental and social purpose will help drive sustainable mobility across the state while providing a safer, more reliable option that meets California’s twenty-first-century transportation needs.”

The joint venture is charged with delivering support services for the Authority, such as program planning and strategy; environmental and engineering management; infrastructure delivery; supply chain management; and federal and state funding support.

“The Authority is not just advancing a major rail project, but creating a new way of travel in the US that is faster, more convenient and more sustainable,” said Jennifer Aument, chief executive of AECOM’s global Transportation business. “Driving that change is hard work, and we are committed to working every day to support the Authority in making this transformational program a reality. Our approach is to couple our leading, global expertise in delivering complex high-speed rail programs with a local team with deep roots in and a strong commitment to California communities.”

“Our comprehensive program management approach has been refined from our work on complex mega-programs around the world,” said Drew Jeter, chief executive of AECOM’s global Program Management business. “Applying this deep, collaborative expertise, we will implement consistent governance and processes supported by advanced digital tools that consolidate program data in real-time, providing the Authority with the structure and insights needed to see the program to its successful completion.”

When complete, California High-Speed Rail will connect the 500-mile stretch between the Los Angeles region with the San Francisco Bay Area in less than three hours, The high-speed rail system is expected to expand access to job opportunities, contribute to a cleaner environment, reduce traffic and air congestion, improve the state’s transportation system resiliency, and preserve agricultural and protected lands. For more on construction visit: www.buildhsr.com.

Photo credit: California High Speed Rail Authority