High-Speed Rail’s Completed Tulare Street Grade Separation Project Reconnects Fresno’s Chinatown and Downtown

CVV News
July 31, 2025

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), local and state leaders celebrated the completion of the Tulare Street Grade Separation project with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Fresno’s Historic Chinatown. Located near the future site of the nation’s first high-speed rail station, the grade separation reconnects Fresno’s historic Chinatown and downtown, while improving safety and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and unhealthy pollutants.

The Tulare Street underpass and grade separation project, constructed by Tutor-Perini/Zachry/Parsons, is located between G and H streets, between downtown and Fresno’s Chinatown. The grade separation now takes vehicular traffic more than 20 feet below the Union Pacific and future high-speed rail tracks. It serves as a two-lane roadway spanning more than 1,000 feet long and 60 feet wide, with pedestrian access and bike lanes for residents and bicyclists. and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and unhealthy po High-Speed Rail Progress

Work continues daily on the high-speed rail project, with 171 miles currently under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield. Nearly 70 miles of guideway are complete, along with 55 fully completed structures; an additional 29 more structures are underway across Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties.

High-Speed Rail Progress

Work continues daily on the high-speed rail project, with 171 miles currently under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield. Nearly 70 miles of guideway are complete, along with 55 fully completed structures; an additional 29 more structures are underway across Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties.

Since construction began, the project has created more than 15,500 good-paying jobs—most filled by Central Valley residents. Up to 1,700 workers report to high-speed rail construction sites each day.