![\"Residents](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/FRS_FRS_Marek_HSRstation_01.jpeg\" "\\"Residents")
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Residents and other interested parties look over plans and renderings that show what\u2019s envisioned for the future Fresno Station of California\u2019s High-Speed Rail project during an informational open house by the High-Speed Rail Authority at the Hilton DoubleTree in downtown Fresno on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.<\/p>\n
CRAIG KOHLRUSS<\/p>\n
Fresno Bee file<\/p>\n
The California High-Speed Rail Authority<\/a>\u2019s latest business plan, approved by the agency at the beginning of the month, suggests building a \u201ctemporary\u201d Bakersfield station that would be several miles northwest of downtown.<\/p>\n But why the change? And when exactly will the rail authority start building the promised downtown Bakersfield station?<\/p>\n Like with many other changes to the planned train, rail authority CEO Ian Choudri says the problem is money.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s never about changing anything just because we want to,\u201d he told The Fresno Bee on Wednesday. \u201cThe funding is the constraint.\u201d<\/p>\n Since become rail authority CEO in 2024, Choudri has proposed cost-cutting and time-saving strategies that he says will make it possible for the agency to build a Merced-to-Bakersfield segment by 2033 for around $35.7 billion on the low end.<\/p>\n The California Legislature last year approved $1 billion per year through 2045 for the project, bringing its available money up to about $39.3 billion over the next two decades. For that to cover the cost of the Central Valley segment, the rail authority says it needs state and local lawmakers to work with the ideas Choudri has proposed.<\/p>\n Choudri is working with private investors who may want to use their own money to build train routes outside the Central Valley, such as Madera-to-Gilroy or Bakersfield-to-Palmdale. He also says he wants the Legislature to dedicate more state money to the project.<\/p>\n But for now, a southern terminus that does not reach downtown Bakersfield is \u201cwhat we can build,\u201d Choudri said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe basic fundamental question to be answered is: What do we have today as resources to build?\u201d he said. \u201cWe get more, which I hope the Legislature continues to work with us, we continue to build more.\u201d<\/p>\n The temporary Bakersfield station would be built north of 7th Standard Road along the train\u2019s alignment, according to a technical supporting document<\/a> for the rail authority\u2019s 2026 business plan. That location is at least 5 miles northwest of the planned site of the permanent station near F Street and Golden State Avenue downtown.<\/p>\n The document touts the temporary location\u2019s proximity to Bakersfield\u2019s Meadow Field Airport, Highway 99 and the City of Shafter.<\/p>\n It also says the location will serve as the train system\u2019s southern end until the rail extends through Bakersfield to the site of the permanent downtown station \u201cas part of Phase I San Francisco to Anaheim.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would say that you give us the money tomorrow, we\u2019ll build it to downtown Bakersfield,\u201d Choudri said. \u201cThere\u2019s no reason for us to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that the rail authority has discussed a temporary northern Bakersfield station in past years.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n![\"California](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781928464_403_FRS_FRS_Choudri_03.JPG\" "\\"FRS_FRS_Choudri_03.JPG\\"")
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri stands below the archway of the nearly completed San Joaquin River viaduct section of the rail system near Highway 99 between Fresno County and Madera County on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Cables, tracks and other infrastructure are soon to come, say authorities. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com Where would HSRA\u2019s temporary Bakersfield station be built?<\/p>\n
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