The California High Speed Rail Authority has started construction in the Central Valley. How is it going? Our own analysis says it is 3 years late and at least 20% over the original budget. The Authority tells everyone that everything is coming in under bid. At first glance, this seems right. The contract bids are […]
Archive | Board Meeting
CARRD calls on Legislators to beef up reporting requirements
By Nadia Naik on November 9, 2015 in Board Meeting, Business Plan, CHSRA, Funding, Statewide, Uncategorized
You may have heard Authority Chairman Dan Richard and CEO Jeff Morales in the media lately talking about transparency. We sent legislators new information about how the Authority is so concerned about the public perception of the project that it is willing to compromise the state’s ability to oversee the many consultants working to design the rail line. […]
Land purchases for initial construction way behind schedule
By CARRD on February 10, 2014 in Board Meeting, Business Plan, CHSRA, Fresno, Fresno – Bakersfield, Merced – Fresno, Statewide, Uncategorized
The contract signed with the design- build construction team led by Tutor Perini in August had a detailed list of properties that the CHSRA would have to buy and the date each parcel would be available to the contractor. The most recent report on January 16th notes that there are significant delays.How far behind is […]
Once again, we struggle to get public documents from the Authority
LETTER CARRD SENT TO THE AUTHORITY TODAY In 2011, CARRD became frustrated with the California High Speed Rail Authority’s unwillingness to comply with basic provisions of California’s open government laws, which were made part of the State Constitution in 2004. We sent this letter to the board. The board followed our recommendations, including the […]
The blended system can deliver 2 hour 40 minute travel times: Fact or fantasy?
We asked the question in April and we will ask it again. Can the blended system make the promised 2 hour 40 minute travel time? The most significant change in the Authority’s revised Business Plan was the adoption of a “blended” system. The good news was that it could be less impactful to communities and […]
Substantive changes in Business Plan warrant recirculation for comment
By Nadia Naik on February 1, 2012 in Board Meeting, Business Plan, CHSRA, Environmental Review, Fresno, Funding, Legislative Analysis, Uncategorized
There have been at least two recent media reports describing substantive changes to the upcoming 2012 Business Plan. We look forward to seeing how public input was incorporated to the plan. Given the media reports on apparent substantive changes, CARRD is recommending that the Authority consider issuing a second draft plan to give both the […]
More changes on High Speed Rail board
In December, there were two new appointees to the California High Speed Rail Authority Board to replace Richard Katz and Rod Diridon (read our article) . Spring is bringing with it two additional new appointees. As reported in the press, Quentin Kopp left the board and was replaced by Robert Balgenorth, president of the California […]
California High Speed Rail Project : How far does $1.232 billion get you?
On December 9th, the Federal Railroad Administration awarded the California High Speed Rail Authority another $616 million to extend the train tracks planned for the Central Valley. The terms of this money require California to match the funds with $616 million of its own dollars, bringing the total available to $1.232 billion. The Authority will […]
CARRD’s comments on corridor selection process
Elizabeth Alexis from CARRD made these comments at the December 2, 2010 California High Speed Rail Authority Board meeting in Sacramento, in response to the corridor selection decision: You are being asked to keep hope alive in Merced. Sometimes it is better to just rip off the bandaid. The staff memo lays out an efficient […]
Preview of upcoming California High Speed Rail Authority board meeting
The California High Speed Rail Authority Board is expected this week to select which corridor will be the first to be constructed. The staff recommendation is for a 65 mile route between a place called Borden located just north of Fresno and Corcoran, a small town on the way to Bakersfield. Things to note about […]