California’s high-speed rail network hit another milestone this week as the Hanford Armona Road grade separation officially opened to traffic — marking the ninth structure delivered this year and the third completed in Kings County alone.
The project, delivered in less than 12 months, is designed to enhance traffic flow and improve public safety by lifting road users above the future high-speed rail line. The California High-Speed Rail Authority said the newly completed overpass pushes the total number of finished structures on the system to 58.
Located east of Hanford between State Route 43 and 7th Avenue, the grade separation spans 209 feet in length and 80 feet in width, carrying both eastbound and westbound vehicles safely over the rail corridor. Its proximity to the massive Hanford Viaduct — the largest active rail construction zone — highlights Kings County’s role as a central hub in the statewide buildout.
Construction began in January 2025 and moved at an accelerated pace thanks to close coordination with contractors Dragados-Flatiron Joint Venture. The structure incorporates 1,622 cubic yards of concrete, 385,515 pounds of steel, and 24 precast concrete girders.
Ben Ruiz, Director of Infrastructure Delivery, praised the team’s pace and partnership:
"We are working steadfastly to complete all civil structures and grade separations by the end of next year. Thanks to collaboration between our team and the contractor, we were able to complete Hanford Armona Road in less than a year, allowing us to shift focus on other remaining structures in Kings County, improving safety throughout the county overall."
The Authority has delivered a wave of recent infrastructure improvements in 2025, including:
These grade separations eliminate dangerous at-grade intersections with freight rail, reducing emissions from idling cars and offering long-term community economic advantages.
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Construction activity remains strong across the 171-mile segment between Merced and Bakersfield:
Over 70 miles of guideway complete
58 structures delivered & 30+ more underway
Up to 1,700 workers active daily
More than 16,100 good-paying jobs created to date — mostly for Central Valley residents
The larger San Francisco–Los Angeles/Anaheim corridor continues advancing too, with 463 miles of the full 494-mile system environmentally cleared and construction-ready.
With multiple remaining structures still in progress across Kings County, the Authority says it is on track to complete all civil structures there by end of 2026 — a major precursor to railway installation and future testing phases.
Originally reported by California-High Speed Rail Authority.
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