50,000 California State Fairgoers Visit High-Speed Rail Exhibit

An interactive exhibit offered visitors a glimpse into the future rail system.

1 minute read

August 2, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Aerial view of Wasco viaduct built for California HIgh-Speed Rail project.

The Wasco Viaduct in Wasco, Kern County, California, will enable CAHSR trains to pass over BNSF tracks. | https://buildhsr.com/projects/, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

The California High-Speed Rail Authority unveiled an interactive exhibit at the California State Fair featuring mock-ups of the future system’s trains, reports Marni Rose McFall in Newsweek.

“At the fair, visitors were invited to walk through the life-size mock-ups of train interiors, look at 3D renderings and models of the planned Central Valley stations and more,” McFall writes.

According to an information officer for the Authority, roughly 50,000 people visited the exhibit. “The 3D models show preliminary designs of four central valley stations, Merced, Fresno the Kings Tulare station and Bakersfield.”  

The long-awaited project is underway, with 119 miles under active construction between Merced and Bakersfield in the Central Valley. “Completion is expected upon the initiation of passenger service, which is slated for between 2030 and 2033. The project plans for trains to run at speeds up to 220 miles per hour, enabling a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles in under three hours​.” The cost, initially projected at $40 billion, is now estimated to reach between $88 to $128 billion.

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 in Newsweek

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Two yellow and white Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail streetcars at station in Dallas, Texas.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region

At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

April 3, 2025 - KERA News

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Amtrak Acela

How to Make US Trains Faster

Changes to boarding platforms and a switch to electric trains could improve U.S. passenger rail service without the added cost of high-speed rail.

45 minutes ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Mural showing tools and craft supplies with banner reading 'Things are made here' in front of makerspace in Columbia, Missouri.

Columbia’s Revitalized ‘Loop’ Is a Hub for Local Entrepreneurs

A focus on small businesses is helping a commercial corridor in Columbia, Missouri thrive.

1 hour ago - Next City

Close-up of wood log with emerald ash borer larvae tracks etched in the wood.

Invasive Insect Threatens Minnesota’s Ash Forests

The Emerald Ash Borer is a rapidly spreading invasive pest threatening Minnesota’s ash trees, and homeowners are encouraged to plant diverse replacement species, avoid moving ash firewood, and monitor for signs of infestation.

2 hours ago - The Bemidji Pioneer