High-Speed Rail.
When we hear those three words or see the sleek imagery of the rail cars and the renderings of the stations soon to be bustling with traveling Californians, we’re aware of just how much this bullet train will change our lives for the better in California.
In a few years, a number of meaningful gains will include cleaner air, more efficient travel to our destinations, safer movement and more sustainable infrastructure. This is the biggest infrastructure project in the nation for a reason, and that reason is to improve lives.
But there’s another transformative, significant effect of High-Speed Rail that doesn’t receive the headlines: the enhanced lives of those who are building it.
It’s an honor to get to talk about Janelle Tumacder. She is one of nearly 1,700 people who work daily on the construction of the Project.
Hailing from the Central Valley, Janelle is a lifelong Visalia resident. Right out of high school, Janelle worked for seven years as a meat cutter at a local grocery store. During a visit to a union labor event, she networked and met another female trades worker who encouraged her to sign up for the Central Valley Training Center (CVTC) program. This impactful program is a workforce development and safety training facility created to support construction in the Central Valley with hands-on, practical training tied directly to the needs of the California High-Speed Rail project. Long intrigued by carpentry and how structures work, Janelle was ecstatic to be accepted into the CVTC pre-apprenticeship and, after graduating from the 3-month long program, has been working on Construction Package 1 (CP 1) for more than a year.
And as Janelle emphatically shares, this role has changed her life. She says the work is fulfilling every day, builds the foundation for a career she wants and loves, pays well and, “makes a difference mentally and physically.” The camaraderie between workers is strong and, from it, she continually deepens her expertise and refines her craft in the very region that holds a lifelong significance to her.
The Central Valley region’s history runs deep. Distinct in spirit and style, the Central Valley is prominently featured in classic John Steinbeck books The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men and In Dubious Battle. California's Central Valley is renowned as America's agricultural heartland, while also proud of its unique ecosystems, diverse populations and migrant labor.
Recently, Janelle and her co-workers stumbled upon part of the region’s history. During excavation for High-Speed Rail in Fresno near Belmont Avenue, they discovered more than 82 historic red and green lanterns from the late 1920s/early 1930s. The timing was perfect, as the lanterns were restored for holiday displays in the community, connecting the modern infrastructure build with local history. Janelle was thrilled to be part of such a remarkable discovery.
When talking about her work on the high-speed rail in the Central Valley, Janelle’s voice lights up: “This is not just a job, but a calling.” She reflects with pride on her first day on the job, as she recalls seeing nothing but dirt in the McKinley area. Now, just over a year later, she proudly touts the completed, essential safety grade separation replacing the vast emptiness. “I was a part of that. I had no idea what I was capable of.”
And just like the California High-Speed Rail will do, Janelle is improving lives through her powerful imprint in the Central Valley. The Project has created nearly 17,000 jobs since its inception. These jobs will continue to improve lives and create opportunities for families for decades to come.