California High-Speed Rail Contributes Billions in Economic Activity
The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2024 Economic Impact Analysis Report indicates that the project has generated nearly 22 billion USD in total economic activity.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2024 Economic Impact Analysis Report indicates that the project has generated nearly 22 billion USD in total economic activity.
With a 13 billion USD investment to date, the project is reported to have played a key role in creating jobs and boosting local economies, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Key Economic Contributions
Job Creation : The project has created approximately 109,000 job-years, resulting in over 8 billion USD in total labour income for workers.
Support for Disadvantaged Communities : Two-thirds of the project’s expenditures in the 2023-24 fiscal year were directed toward disadvantaged communities.
Economic Activity : The Central Valley region alone has seen 9.6 billion USD in economic activity, benefiting local businesses and workers.
“The benefits of investing in a high-speed rail system continue to ripple through the California economy. This project is creating meaningful partnerships and jobs, lifting up disadvantaged communities and supporting greenhouse gas reduction goals.”
The Authority projects even greater economic contributions as the project progresses. For example:
- Merced to Bakersfield Initial Service — Completing the 171-mile section would result in 333,000 job-years and $70.3 billion in total economic activity.
- Phase 1 System — The full 494-mile route from San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim is expected to generate 1,034,000 job-years and 221.8 billion USD in economic activity.
Currently, construction efforts continue to advance across the 171-mile stretch between Merced and Bakersfield.