The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has launched a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the design of the track and overhead contact line systems for the section of the new high-speed rail (HSR) line in the Central Valley between Merced and Bakersfield. The RFQ, valued at approx. €120.6 million (US$131 million), covers the design of 275 km of double track and overhead lines between Merced and Bakersfield, including the detailed design of the 191 km section currently under construction. The selected contractor will design the track system, including the track structure, overhead lines, wayside cable containment, cross track pipe, access roads, fencing, and drainage. Bids are to be submitted by 22nd January 2024, with a final decision expected in April 2024. This is the second time CHSRA is launching an RFQ process for the contract, as it was forced to let its previous contract expire in 2022 due to the tight economy and supply chain disruption. In August 2022, the CHSRA issued an RFQ for six high-speed trains (HST) to run on the line, with the first two prototypes expected by 2028.
