A joint venture between UK consulting engineer Arup and architect Foster + Partners has been selected to design four stations for the Los Angeles-to-San Francisco high-speed railway.
The planning, architecture and engineering of Merced, Fresno, Kings/Tulare and Bakersfield stations will act as templates for the other stops on the 800km route.
The joint venture’s management and design contracts are part of the first “notice to proceed”, which is expected to last 30 months. There is an option to progress to the second notice, which will include final design, construction and commissioning stages.
Stefan Behling, Foster + Partner’s head of studio, said: “California High-Speed Rail is a truly pioneering project which has the potential to shape the future of sustainable travel in California and across America. After delivering our system-wide vision plan, we are now delighted to be working with Arup on detailed designs for the network’s first four stations.”
The line is under construction in the Central Valley, with the first stretch due to open before 2033.
In November 2022, it was announced that a consortium led by Dallas engineer Aecom had been chosen to provide programme management for the line.
Trains on the route will run at speeds over 320km/h, cutting travel time between Los Angeles and San Francisco to three hours.
