Take A Peek At Station Design For America’s First High-Speed Railway

Architectural studio Foster + Partners and engineering firm Arup are teaming up to design the initial four stations for the California High-Speed Rail, the country’s first such railway that will eventually stretch 500 miles between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The four stations—to be located in Merced, Fresno, Tulare, and Bakersfield—will serve the pioneering 171-mile segment of the project, later serving as examples as more stations are opened up along the line.

An example of the facility depicts a futuristic, open-air stop, where commuters line platforms to await incoming trains while being sheltered by a perforated metal structure overhead, as the overhead bridge connecting the opposing ends is decorated with greenery.

According to Dezeen, plans for the railway line have been in place since the late 90s, with it finally being approved in 2008. It will no doubt make travel between the two cities a breeze in just under three hours, considering track limits will allow for trains to go up to 220 miles per hour.

“Once complete, this segment of high-speed rail will provide much-needed linkages between the diverse communities that comprise California’s Central Valley,” remarked John Eddy, Principal at Arup.

The California High-Speed Rail is currently under construction and is scheduled to have the first operable complete between 2030 and 2033.

[via Dezeen and Foster + Partners, images via Foster + Partners]