California’s high-speed rail project has finished construction of the Whitley Avenue underpass, the second major structure completed this year.

The underpass, located in Kings County, took two years to build and is a key part of the project’s Central Valley infrastructure.

Why It Matters

The progress comes at a time when California’s high-speed rail project is facing both local and national opposition. President Donald Trump has called the project a “waste,” and state Republicans have called for future federal funding to be scrapped. However, state leadership has said it is committed to continuing construction.

What To Know

On Thursday, the California High-Speed Rail Authority announced that the Whitley Avenue underpass had been completed as part of the Merced-Bakersfield stage of the project.

The work was completed in partnership with Dragados-Flatiron Joint Venture, and included building a two-lane underpass with a pedestrian pathway.

It replaces the former crossing on Whitley Avenue, one of 222 grade separations planned across the 119-mile stretch currently under construction between Madera and Bakersfield.

“We continue to make progress and remain committed to completing several more structures across the Central Valley this year, including some of our largest viaducts,” Garth Fernandez, the authority’s Central Valley regional director, said in a statement.

“Avenue is a prime example of how the Authority, alongside city and county agencies, can overcome challenges, including Mother Nature, and progress toward a future with 100 percent electrified rail.”

Despite uncertainties about its future, the authority’s CEO said the project was close to reaching another significant milestone, with the first Central Valley tracks expected to be laid next year.

“We are purchasing rail materials this year, we are laying tracks next year,” Ian Choudri said, in an interview with AOL. “I don’t see any point where we have to say, ‘Oh, we can’t do it.'”

There are currently 171 miles of track under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield, which is the first stage of the process.

More than 60 miles of guideway have already been completed, and more than 50 of the 93 structures necessary for tracklaying are complete.

There are currently 30 structures under construction in Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties.

What People Are Saying

The California High-Speed Rail Authority told Newsweek: “Initial track work is estimated to begin by Spring 2025, with installation of mainline turnouts, work that includes laying a siding track, a parallel track that allows BNSF trains to pull off the mainline and out of the way of the work.”

What Happens Next

In 2025, the California High-Speed Rail Authority is planning to begin construction on stations in the Central Valley. It also expects to select a manufacturer for the trains.