New illustrations have been revealed for the design template of four stations along California’s high speed rail in the Central Valley. Foster + Partners and ARUP are responsible for the project. The Central Valley line is part of the first phase of construction for the highly-anticipated infrastructure project to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco.
California High-Speed Rail station adjacent landscaping, design by Foster and Partners rendering by Kilograph
California High-Speed Rail, design by Foster and Partners rendering by Kilograph
Stephan Behling, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, shared in a press release about the new design that “after delivering our systemwide vision plan, we are now delighted to be working with Arup on detailed designs for the network’s first four stations.” Illustrations show each station will be shaded curved metal panels perforated with a webbing design and shaped with triangular patterns.
California High-Speed Rail rider view, design by Foster and Partners rendering by Kilograph
California High-Speed Rail terrace view, design by Foster and Partners rendering by Kilograph
Groundbreaking occurred in early 2015, and construction is actively underway on the tracks, separations, viaducts, underpasses, and overpasses from Madera through Fresno to Bakersfield. The 171-mile Merced-Bakersfield line also called the Interim Initial Operating Segment is expected to start initial electrified rail line testing in 2028 and opening between 2030 and 2033.
California High-Speed Rail entry view with hypothetical development, design by Foster and Partners rendering by Kilograph
California High-Speed Rail station view of trains in motion, design by Foster and Partners rendering by Kilograph
The final plans of phase one will extend over 500 miles from San Francisco through Los Angeles to Anaheim. Additional stops in the Bay Area will include, Gilroy, San Jose’s Diridon Station, and Millbrae. Expansions after phase one imagine trains going to Sacramento and San Diego. For more information, visit the High Speed Rail website here.
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It’s beautiful! Very curious to see how this plays out…. Construction looks way behind these projected rev service dates and financing has yet to be secured for the whole project.
Artist rendition vs. reality.
Great. Open air stations. Once again the American public gets (“second” – scratch that) third grade ‘public transportation’ design. Those open air stations are similar to the BART stations in the Bay Area – good luck during inclement weather keeping dry, warm, etc. Just to let you know you’re not really suppose to *like* using public transportation – those open air stations are a reminder you didn’t choose to use a car.
My thoughts as well. That station does little to protect you from the wind and rain, that despite california being in sunny dry climate, do occur. The shade and ventilation will be great on hot days through, which is what I suppose they were going for. Though it’s not ass if an actually building couldn’t have ventilation and air conditioning. This deffinitly feels 3rd rate, like a basic light rail stop, as opposed to a more classy high speed rail station.
Wow. This is great! I still can’t believe this is happening.
The designs are happening, but the project itself is so dumb it shouldn’t happen. If taxpayers are lucky, it won’t
Great things cost money. Would you rather the state squander the same amount or more on airports and highway expansions? Thats a simple answer in my opinion.
Metal? Have the designer’s ever been to the central valley in the middle of summer??
I am certain that I will not be alive when it is complete. The money and support is not there.
The dream of high speed rail from Turlock to Bakersfield is becoming a reality.
That because most of the general public is ignorant and have no first hand experience with HSR travel and the political leadership is being led by that indifference instead of being aggressive leaders. The state has the money, its the fifth biggest economy on earth, they would rather funnel it to other things, mostly for political reasons and, again, responding to the aforementioned indifference and ignorance of the general public.
As much as I would like it to happen, this rail line will probably never be completed. The route they chose will take almost 4 hours (realistically) from SF to LA. A more direct route with fewer stops could cut the time to a little over 2 hours…more than competitive with air travel. Oh well. To drive is about 350 miles. The high speed rail route is over 450 miles.
No. Wrong. That horse is so dead at this point…
Sure .. artistically it looks great in a picture…. Gets people excited but real people see thru the glitter. Way to much maintenance to keep looking good on a budget. Design it like it’s your money and you have an account you have to balance.
I agree. All of the modernist metal spines and grates look harder to clean than flat roofing.
Artists rendering left out the transients lying around sleeping on the benches and the thieves stealing whatever isn’t locked down. What? No graffiti?
What a horrible thing to say.
I agree, Catwoman is probably the 1st one to complain about the state of everything and yet doesn’t volunteer to help in any way.
Bad Design. Does not protect from inclement weather. The designers need to take notes from the train stations for the major German cities.
Seems overboard and impractical in that heat for a Central Valley stop only locals will use.
Why are we investing in a dead project that won’t be built. Let’s put the monies towards a separate lane for big rigs along the I 5 and hwy 99 corridor.
YIMBYs will doubtless be pleased at the sprawl this project will enable.
The project is not dead. It will be built no thanks to silly naysayers like yourself. Truck lanes are helpful but they are not an answer to the mobility issues in CA which enslaves people to the automobile.
Reply to John
When are you guys going to start on the Bakersfield part of the rail
Great design, but I would expect that from these talented architects, with that said I hope the state maintaine these stations.