Downtown businesses met with High-Speed rail officials over frustrations with road closures

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Construction continues in Downtown Fresno to make way for High-Speed Rail. Wednesday-- business owners met with rail authorities, many of them upset with how the construction is hurting them.

Business owners say road closures due to High-speed Rail construction are costing them thousands of dollars. Penny Murray said she hit her limit with High-Speed Rail's Downtown Fresno road closures when an ambulance couldn't quickly get to her husband after he had an accident.

"Fell and fractured his leg and laid on our pavement for 20 minutes before the ambulance could get to us because they could not figure out the road closures. An ambulance!"

Murray has owned Valley Produce for nearly 40 years and says since several roads like G and H Streets closed six months ago, she's lost more than 25-percent of her business.

"You can not close the businesses you've left behind."

High-Speed Rail officials met with companies located near the closures. They say the goal is to have open communication while they complete the Tuolumne overpass.

"What we've been trying to do is, our contractor is trying to work with each individual business. I think what's important to them is access," said Diana Gomez, High-Speed Rail Authority.

Business owners who gathered at the meeting, though, say there's been barely any communication between HSR and local companies. Many feel in the dark about which roads are closing and when.

"Lack of parking and lack of being able to get out of our businesses and theft," said Susan Moore, Dumont Printing.

Murray said,"That's all we're asking, to think about those businesses, think about those families that are still remaining."

High-Speed Rail officials said they hope to have parts of G and H Streets open by the end of the month.