WASHINGTON, D.C. — Aug 8, 2024 — U.S. High-Speed Rail (USHSR) today congratulated Ian Choudri on his appointment as CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the agency developing America’s largest bullet train project.

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“Ian Choudri is the right executive at the right time to lead America’s most ambitious high-speed rail project as it advances toward initial operations,” said USHSR Coalition Co-Chair and former USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood. “He brings deep experience in project management and technical expertise on a wide range of complex infrastructure programs.”

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Choudri brings over three decades of experience in the transportation sector, including work on high-speed rail projects in France and Spain. Most recently, he worked for HNTB, a leading infrastructure solutions firm, where he has served as Senior Vice President.

Choudri will succeed Brian Kelly, who stepped into the post in 2018, and has put the project within striking distance of completing an initial 171-mile segment connecting Merced and Bakersfield in California’s Central Valley.

"Thanks to his remarkable leadership and commitment, Brian Kelly is leaving the California High Speed Rail project well-positioned for success,” said USHSR CEO Andy Kunz. “We look forward to working with the Authority’s new leadership to secure the funding needed to get trains rolling.”

High-speed rail has turned a corner in America with California’s project helping to lead the way. The Biden Administration has invested $3.3 billion to help complete the program’s initial segment in the Central Valley.