Team Chosen For Second Phase Of High-Speed Rail

SACRAMENTO (AP) — It will cost less than expected to build the second leg of California's $68 billion high-speed rail system, which will run from Fresno to north of Bakersfield.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority said Thursday that the low bid for the 65-mile segment was $1.2 billion.

That's below the projected cost of between $1.5 billion and $2 billion.

The winning bid was by a team made up of three companies: Dragados USA Inc., Flatiron West Inc., and Shimmick Construction Company Inc.

It beat two other bidders, including Tutor Perini/Zachry/Parsons, which is building the first 28-mile leg from Madera to Fresno.

The new segment includes about 36 grade separations in Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties, including underpasses and overpasses.

It runs from Fresno to one mile north of the Kern-Tulare County line.

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