Caltrans and SJJPA Awarded Federal MEGA Grant for Madera High-Speed Rail Station to Serve HSR Early Operating Segment

(October 30 -- Stockton, CA) – The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have secured $54.5 million in federal grant funding through the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) MEGA initiative to support the Madera High-Speed Rail (HSR) Station Project. The funding will be used for construction at the future relocated Madera Amtrak Station site along Avenue 12, transforming it into a state-of-the-art Madera High-Speed Rail Station, serving Madera County and Northern Fresno County as a vital part of the California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) Merced-Bakersfield Early Operating Segment (EOS).

The grant will fund design and construction of critical station infrastructure, including new platforms, trackwork, an overhead contact system, a bus depot, expanded auto parking, an access roadway network, a multi-use path, and station building – enhancing the passenger experience and improving transportation connectivity through the region.

The MEGA program grants are intended to support major, complex infrastructure projects that generate significant economic, mobility, and safety benefits on a national or regional scale. The Madera HSR Station will be built as an at-grade facility on an undeveloped site, streamlining the construction process and reducing potential challenges. This station’s construction is a critical component of the Merced-Bakersfield EOS of the CHSR system. The project is planned to be completed by 2030 to coincide with CHSR operating schedule for its EOS.

SJJPA, the California High-Speed Rail Authority, and the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) have partnered to implement the CHSR EOS in each direction from Merced to Bakersfield, with intermediate stations at Madera, Fresno, and Kings/Tulare. The system will be integrated seamlessly at the Merced HSR Station with Gold Runner (trains and Thruway buses) and ACE commuter rail services to provide enhanced connectivity across California.

“Partnering with state and local agencies, California is using its transportation dollars to provide travelers with more options that support the department’s commitment to reduce planet-warming pollution, improve air quality and create a more equitable and sustainable system that works for all users,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.

“This award is crucial for the San Joaquin Valley and California,” said Stacey Mortensen, Executive Director of SJJPA. “We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation for this critical funding. The Madera Station Project will play a pivotal role in connecting this region to key destinations across California through an integrated network of High-Speed Rail, Gold Runner, and ACE Rail services. The improvements to this station will drive economic opportunities while supporting the state’s efforts to reduce emissions and promote sustainable development.”

Caltrans, SJJPA, and the CHSRA are committed to the successful planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of California’s high-speed rail system. This shared vision includes a high-speed rail system that: