ASCE Capital Branch Monthly Meeting:

"A Look at the California High-Speed Rail Project"

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is responsible for planning, designing, building, and operating the first high-speed rail system in the nation. California high-speed rail will connect the megaregions of the state, contribute to economic development and a cleaner environment, create jobs, and preserve agricultural and protected lands.

When completed, Phase 1 of the high-speed rail system will run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin in under three hours at speeds capable of exceeding 200 miles per hour.

Join this week’s speakers as they provide a statewide update on the project, present on the most recognized civil structures either completed or in construction in the Central Valley and close the presentation with a Q&A session featuring civil engineers that are working on the high-speed rail project.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Glen Lawson, PE Senior Bridge Engineer

Glen Lawson is a senior bridge engineer for the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s program delivery and quality oversight team and has been with the Authority since 2020. Before coming to the Authority, Lawson worked for Caltrans for 21 years where he spent 17 years in structure construction. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Augie Blancas, Public Information Officer

Augie Blancas is a Public Information Officer with the Ca-High Speed Rail Authority for the Regional office in Fresno, Ca. He is an alumni of Fresno State, where he studied Mass Communications and Media. Augie has served a multitude of rolls in media in the nonprofit sector and now for state government.

Yaqeline Castro, Student Outreach and Engagement

Yaqeline Castro is the Student Outreach Coordinator based out of the Sacramento office. Castro is responsible for stakeholder outreach and strengthening relationships with students and educational institutions statewide. Castro is an alumni from UC Merced where she studied Anthropology with a focus on public policy.