State board approves high-speed rail sites, OKs condemnation actions
“The State Public Works Board on Wednesday approved the selection of nearly 160 parcels in Fresno and Kings counties for eventual acquisition for California’s controversial high-speed train project.
Meeting in Sacramento at the state Capitol, the panel comprised of the heads of the state’s Finance, General Services and Transportation departments, also adopted resolutions declaring a public necessity to condemn four pieces of property in Fresno and Madera counties for the rail line.
The actions were requested by the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which is responsible for developing the statewide passenger-train system to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles by way of the San Joaquin Valley. Contractors for the authority have started demolishing buildings and clearing parcels in the Fresno area to prepare for building on the first 29-mile construction segment between Madera and Fresno.”
Sheehan, Tim. Fresno Bee 13 August 2014.