California high-speed rail project creates 2,000 construction jobs

More than 2,000 construction jobs have been created since California began its high-speed rail project in January 2015, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHRSA) announced yesterday.

The authority is building a high-speed rail line to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles. Currently, more than 119 miles are under construction as part of three separate construction packages.

CHSRA yesterday held an event to mark the 2,000-worker milestone. Attendees included CHSRA Chief Operating Officer Joe Hedges and representatives from the State Building and Construction Trades Council.

"Once we expand out from [California's Central Valley] to the north and the south, there are going to be hundreds of major structures that will need to be built, creating thousands of jobs and new opportunities," Hedges said in a press release.

Design-builders Tutor-Perini/Zachry/Parsons, Dragados-Flatiron/Joint Venture and California Rail Builders have more than 20 active construction sites, with several more slated to open in the coming months. The work totals more than $3 billion in construction commitments, CHSRA officials said.

The Silicon Valley-to-Central Valley segment is expected to be completed in 2029, while the entire route from San Francisco to Los Angeles will wrap up in 2033, which is four years behind schedule. The cost to build the high-speed rail system now stands at $77 billion.