High Speed Rail Continues to Move Forward

Last month, the state’s Public Works Board finally gave approval for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”) to start buying up land in Fresno and Madera counties. The approval allows for the CHSRA to begin negotiating with Fresno and Madera property owners to buy 356 parcels for high speed rail tracks and/or related construction needs. If agreements cannot be reached, the CHSRA will have to resort to seizing the property through eminent domain.

The High Speed Rail will span 800 miles stretching from San Francisco to Los Angeles and eventually to Sacramento and San Diego. The total expected cost of the statewide system is over $60 billion. The CHSRA plans to break ground this July.