...More on CA High Speed Rail

Pillsbury's Robert James has a good post at their Gravel2Gavel site explaining some of the opportunities forthcoming. 

The early High Speed Rail funding focus is on the Initial Operating Section (IOS), which runs down the Central Valley from Merced to the San Fernando Valley (about 130 miles of initial segments and about 300 miles in total). Design-build package HSR11-16 has already been shortlisted to five bidders; this is for 23-29 miles of infrastructure around Fresno (including a major river crossing and many grade crossings) and is estimated at $1.2-1.8 billion. According to the Request for Proposal, award is scheduled for December of this year.

Further design-build packages for infrastructure connecting Fresno with Bakersfield, and for stations and track along all of these segments, would be expected to follow. There would also be associated architect/engineer and construction management contracts, and two design-bid-build contracts for multiple-use crossings. Additional design-build packages for infrastructure, stations and track connecting Merced with Fresno, and Bakersfield with the San Fernando Valley, are expected in the future. A procurement package for the trains would then ensue.

.... Opportunities for public-private partnerships (PPPs), such as DBFOM contracts and concessions, are expected to be available for the urban sections closer to San Francisco, LA and San Diego, and for operating phases. However, the High Speed Rail Authority says unsolicited proposals for private financing may be considered.