A conceptual rendering of the Fresno high-speed rail station via CHSRA

The California High-Speed Rail Authority announced its awards to design the Merced, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Bakersfield stations that will serve high-speed passengers.

The $35 million station design contract goes to London-based engineering and architectural firms Foster + Partners and Arup for the first of two separately funded phases.

The first phase will consist of advancing the design work at the four station sites, including identifying right-of-way and utility relocation requirements necessary for construction.

The second phase progresses to final design and construction ready documents, construction support and commission.

The duration of the first phase is estimated to be 30 months.

In the last several months, the Authority has began advancing design work on the alignment to extend work north into Merced and south into Bakersfield.

“The first four Central Valley high-speed rail stations are one step closer to reality,” said Authority Chairman Tom Richards, also a Fresno developer. “High-speed rail stations will transform cities, spur economic development and create community hubs within the heart of our state.” 

Fresno’s station is slated to be located in the Chinatown neighbor of downtown.