Leaked report shows a big change coming to the High-Speed Rail project
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A recently leaked report for the California High Speed Rail project reveals a big change in plans for the train.
From walls to rubble, the G Street corridor is making way for change. A dirt lot -- once a building -- now leveled, and the Cosmopolitan Cafe is next. "The process of moving is really complicated, it's got a lot of moving parts it's really difficult. especially since I'm an old guy," said Cosmopolitan Caf owner Gary Lanfranco.
The property has been in Lanfranco's family for well over one hundred years. So moving to another part of downtown Fresno by April -- is a personal journey. "It's kind of upsetting my whole life, but other than that," said Lanfranco.
Laying down tracks in Fresno has been in the works -- so demolition isn't news. But major changes are coming to the construction phase. The original construction plans had Burbank to Fresno as the first priority. But now the first 250 miles of the train will start up north, running from San Jose to Bakersfield. Some are calling the changes a setback. "It is an impossible task. And they know it. So they are turning from Fresno south to Fresno north," said Assemblyman Fresno Jim Patterson.
The HSR authority says the initial costs will shrink roughly $4-billion since they're postponing building a tunnel through the Tehachapi and San Gabriel Mountains. And a main point in the report states private investors might be more attracted to the Silicon Valley Line. But here in Fresno, it's business as usual. Moving to new places, to make room for the train.
That leaked report was officially sent out Thursday and they are calling for public comment until mid-April.
