California high-speed rail agency begins Kern County construction

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has begun major construction activity for Construction Package 4, a 22-mile rail segment in Kern County.

This week, crews began foundation work for a bridge that will carry high-speed trains over Garces Highway. Drill rigs and heavy machinery have been placed at the site, where workers have begun drilling shafts 80 feet into the ground, CHSRA officials said in a press release.

Rebar cages also are being lowered into the shafts and covered with concrete. Construction of the bridge is being completed by design builder California Rail Builders LLC, a joint venture of Ferrovial-Agroman US Corp. and Griffith Co.

The 102-foot Garces Bridge will feature abutments at each end and vertical clearance of just more than 15 feet.

To date, 142 workers have been dispatched to work on Construction Package 4.