PHOTO RELEASE: High-Speed Rail Completes Underpass Reconnecting Downtown and Southwest Fresno

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:The Cesar Chavez underpass grade separation project is complete and open to traffic in the city of Fresno. This grade separation improves safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians and delivers benefits to local communities by reconnecting neighborhoods and supporting new mobility and economic growth. Completion of this underpass brings the total number of structures completed in the Central Valley to 59.

March 13, 2026

FRESNO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) announced today the completion of the Cesar Chavez Boulevard underpass grade separation project. Located less than a mile from the future Fresno Station site, the underpass now connects downtown to southwest Fresno and Chinatown safely while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a historically disadvantaged and polluted area.

A drone shot, low, of the Cesar Chavez Boulevard underpass grade separation project, looking from west to east. A cloudless sky above the horizon; urban concrete, wires, and bare dirt below it.
A drone shot, high and at an angle, of the Cesar Chavez Boulevard underpass grade separation project, looking approximately from west to east, the skyline of downtown Fresno in the background. A cloudless sky above the horizon; urban concrete, wires, and bare dirt below it.

Open above images for larger versions.

The Cesar Chavez Boulevard underpass is located between F and H streets and is designed for two-lane traffic, bike lanes, and protected walkways going in both directions. The grade separation spans more than 1,000 feet long and 90 feet wide and will take traffic more than 15 feet below the Union Pacific Railroad and future high-speed rail tracks.

A stylized simplified graphic showing some of the statistics about the structure. All these statistics are included in the body text of the web post featuring this graphic.

Open above image for larger versions.

In Fresno County, grade separations, like Cesar Chavez Boulevard underpass, are estimated to reduce accidents, fatalities, injuries and property damages due to accidents, resulting in a total public benefit of approximately $3.3 billion over 30 years.

Completion of the Cesar Chavez Boulevard underpass brings the total number of structures completed in the Central Valley to 59.

“Completing this grade separation is a major milestone that improves pedestrian and vehicular safety within the city of Fresno, while keeping us on track for the next phase of construction. With construction of the remaining guideway — or riding surface — progressing, we’re moving closer to laying high-speed rail track this year.” 

– Ed Fenn, Chief of Construction for the Authority

“The completion of the Cesar Chavez Boulevard underpass restores a vital connection between Southwest Fresno and downtown along one of Fresno’s major east-west arterial roads, improving traffic flow and accessibility to local businesses. This project, among several others completed, underscores the Authority’s continued progress and transformative investment in our community,” said Fresno City Council Vice President Miguel Arias.

“The Chinatown Foundation and surrounding business owners love to see progress. Trains no longer block access,” said Jan Minami, Director of the Chinatown Fresno Foundation. “We’re excited to see high-speed rail continue to move forward towards unification between our two downtowns.”

This grade separation project is the first structure to be completed in 2026. Earlier this year, the Authority announced the completion of track installation at the Southern Railhead Project, a storage facility for materials needed to advance into track and systems installation in Kern County.

High-Speed Rail Progress

Work continues daily on the high-speed rail project, with advanced design and construction stretching from Merced to Bakersfield. Nearly 80 miles of guideway are complete, along with nearly 60 fully completed structures, and more than 30 structures underway across Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties.

The project continues to advance statewide, with 463 miles of the 494-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim system fully environmentally cleared and construction ready. Throughout construction, the project has created nearly 16,700 good-paying construction jobs —most filled by Central Valley residents – and generated nearly $25 billion in economic impact and growth across the state. Up to 1,700 workers report to high-speed rail construction sites each day.

  • Interviews in Spanish are available upon request. For more information, contact the Authority’s media relations office at: news@hsr.ca.gov
  • Se ofrecen entrevistas en Español bajo solicitud. Para obtener más información, contacte a la Oficina de Relaciones con los Medios por correo electrónico: news@hsr.ca.gov

For the latest on high-speed rail construction, visit: www.buildhsr.comExternal Link

The following link contains recent video, animations, photography, press center resources and latest renderings: https://hsra.app.box.com/s/vyvjv9hckwl1dk603ju15u07fdfir2q8External Link

Files are all available for free use, courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

Build More, Faster

High-speed rail is a key part of Governor Newsom’s Build More, FasterExternal Linkagenda, delivering infrastructure upgrades and creating jobs throughout the state. Discover more: Build.ca.govExternal Link

 

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Augie Blancas
559-720-6695 (c)
augie.blancas@hsr.ca.gov

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