Overview
- Newsom visited Orange County to unveil a regional Jobs First plan before inspecting construction on the Merced-to-Bakersfield high-speed rail line in Kern County.
- State officials reported 119 of the 171 miles are under active construction and said the project has supported more than 16,000 jobs since inception.
- The administration is moving the Jobs First blueprint into implementation, opening applications for regional partners to seek state funding.
- California will solicit private partnerships for the rail project with a goal of onboarding partners by summer 2026.
- Newsom highlighted completion of the southern railhead facility in Kern County during a Bakersfield press conference.