At the 2025 APTA Rail Conference, Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), expressed his full confidence in the California High-Speed Rail project, offering a compelling vision of its progress and potential.
Omishakin acknowledged the scepticism that has long accompanied the high-speed rail initiative due to delays, rising costs, and political contention. However, he was unequivocal in his message that the project will be completed and will deliver transformative benefits.
Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) said:This is one of the most exciting, and to me, the most important infrastructure project in the country. I know there’s been some controversy about this project, and some people are wondering whether or not we will get there and be able to deliver this project. I can assure you that it is my full belief, we will get this project done, and it will be transformative for this country.
Omishakin’s confidence was underpinned by several significant milestones. Of the 90 major structures required for the project, 53 have now been completed. Meanwhile, environmental clearance has been fully secured for the route from San Francisco to Los Angeles — no small feat in a state where environmental reviews are notoriously complex and time-consuming.
On the ground, the project is already delivering tangible benefits. It currently employs an average of 1,700 workers each day, with 97% of construction funding flowing to California-based firms. What’s more, the initiative has already contributed approximately 22 billion USD in economic impact to the state’s economy.
Looking to the future, Governor Gavin Newsom’s capital investment proposal promises to further solidify the project’s momentum. The proposal would guarantee at least 1 billion USD annually for the project through to 2045. This long-term commitment would eliminate the funding gap for completing the key segment between Merced and Bakersfield, while enabling long-term planning and stability.
Once realised, Omishakin asserted that the high-speed rail service will not only change the way people travel across the state but could also serve as a catalyst for similar projects across the country.
Omishakin said:As we charge forward on this project every day, we're excited to make history by making this high-speed rail project a reality for all the people of California, and we know the difference is going to make for the nation as well by being a catalyst for more high-speed rail projects.
Beyond Omishakin’s speech, the APTA Rail Conference, which took place in San Francisco, highlighted how the Bay Area is preparing its infrastructure for the arrival how high-speed trains. Read more here.
