Newsom’s Big Win: High-Speed Railway Has A Fancy Warehouse After Nearly Two Decades Of Construction

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the completion of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Southern Railhead Facility in Kern County, even though the bullet train was originally supposed to be fully operational by 2020.

California’s high-speed rail project was approved by voters in 2008 through ballot measure Proposition 1A. After 18 years of work, only about 80 miles of guideway and 58 structures (i.e. bridges, overpasses, etc.) have been fully completed.

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Newsom joined community leaders and construction workers to mark the facility’s completion in the Bakersfield area, describing it as “another critical step in the track laying stage.”

“California is building the nation’s first high-speed rail system, and we’re proving it can be done,” Newsom said. “We’re laying the foundation for cleaner, faster, and more connected transportation while investing in communities and creating good-paying jobs. California isn’t waiting for the future. We’re building it.”

As track installation nears completion near the Wasco site, the new facility will serve as a “central logistics hub for the delivery, storage, and deployment of critical materials needed to electrify and operate the system,” according to Newsom’s office.

California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin and California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri joined the Democratic governor in calling the facility’s completion a major “milestone.”