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Merced council "irked" by high speed rail
Author: newsboy
Date: 03-23-2016 - 20:44
From the Merced Sun-Star:
Merced council irked by changes to plan for high-speed rail
MARCH 21, 2016
The members of Merced City Council used words like “disheartening,” “discouraging” and “maddening” to express their frustration with state high-speed rail decision-makers on Monday.
Several members of the council said they were angered over the latest plans, which put off Merced’s stop until 2029. The newest plans are to first build a 250-mile segment of the rail that would run from north of Bakersfield to San Jose, with the westward bend near Chowchilla. It would begin operating in 2025, three years later than the previous plan that called for trains to run from Merced to the San Fernando Valley by 2022.
Members of the council said they were dismayed that they were not allowed in on the decision making or notified by the regional representatives about pending changes to the rail plans. “Either we got a representative that’s not in the loop or something else is going on,” Councilman Mike Murphy said. “It’s maddening.”
The council heard Monday from Diana Gomez, Central Valley regional director for the California High-Speed Rail Authority, and Melissa DuMond, the Authority’s director of planning and integration. Gomez stressed that Merced remains in the first phase of the plans.
“The authority’s commitment to work and invest in the city of Merced will continue as we advance stationary planning and local connectivity,” Gomez said in a statement Wednesday. “The Merced station plays a key part in completing the first phase of the high-speed rail program and we intend to carry on coordination with local partners in delivering immediate mobility, and economic and community benefits for Merced and the rest of California.”
The authority’s representatives were in town to talk about the changes set forth in the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Draft 2016 Business Plan. Gomez told the council she knew of the new plans a week or two before they were made public on Feb. 16.
She also appeared to further close the door on any chance of locating a heavy maintenance facility at Castle Commerce Center, a facility estimated to generate 1,500 jobs. Locations in Kern and Fresno counties are being eyed for it.
Gomez said the connection to bring the high-speed train from the Union Pacific Railroad tracks near 16th Street to the BNSF Railway tracks near 25th Street on their way to Castle would be unmanageable.
Backers said the new plan also lets the state build an operating portion of the line without relying on additional money that might never come. Supporters have said they hope construction will generate momentum and private investment to pay for the rest of the project south to the Los Angeles area.
Councilman Josh Pedrozo said he was frustrated that Merced’s stop could be pushed to 2029 without local representatives being allowed to give input.
“The problem was even when the business plan was being worked on, nobody in Merced or Merced County was notified of the changes,” he said. “I find it really hard to believe that there’s no discussion that takes part that can’t come to the communities, for lack of a better term, who have played nice in the sandbox to get this done.”
Major construction on the first 29-mile section began last summer on a viaduct over the Fresno River and Highway 145 east of Madera. In downtown Fresno, the old Tuolumne Street bridge over the Union Pacific railroad tracks was demolished in January and February.
High-Speed Authority officials said other facilities, like a dispatch center, training facility and smaller maintenance hub, are planned and Merced could apply for them.
Councilman Tony Dossetti said the changes have been “disheartening” because the majority of the council has strongly supported high-speed rail in town.
“I feel like we’ve been punched in the face by HSR,” he said.
The council asked City Manager Steve Carrigan to write a letter encompassing their dismay of the changes. The plan is in a comment phase and is set to go to the state Legislature on May 1.
Story here: [www.mercedsunstar.com]
Merced council irked by changes to plan for high-speed rail
MARCH 21, 2016
The members of Merced City Council used words like “disheartening,” “discouraging” and “maddening” to express their frustration with state high-speed rail decision-makers on Monday.
Several members of the council said they were angered over the latest plans, which put off Merced’s stop until 2029. The newest plans are to first build a 250-mile segment of the rail that would run from north of Bakersfield to San Jose, with the westward bend near Chowchilla. It would begin operating in 2025, three years later than the previous plan that called for trains to run from Merced to the San Fernando Valley by 2022.
Members of the council said they were dismayed that they were not allowed in on the decision making or notified by the regional representatives about pending changes to the rail plans. “Either we got a representative that’s not in the loop or something else is going on,” Councilman Mike Murphy said. “It’s maddening.”
The council heard Monday from Diana Gomez, Central Valley regional director for the California High-Speed Rail Authority, and Melissa DuMond, the Authority’s director of planning and integration. Gomez stressed that Merced remains in the first phase of the plans.
“The authority’s commitment to work and invest in the city of Merced will continue as we advance stationary planning and local connectivity,” Gomez said in a statement Wednesday. “The Merced station plays a key part in completing the first phase of the high-speed rail program and we intend to carry on coordination with local partners in delivering immediate mobility, and economic and community benefits for Merced and the rest of California.”
The authority’s representatives were in town to talk about the changes set forth in the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Draft 2016 Business Plan. Gomez told the council she knew of the new plans a week or two before they were made public on Feb. 16.
She also appeared to further close the door on any chance of locating a heavy maintenance facility at Castle Commerce Center, a facility estimated to generate 1,500 jobs. Locations in Kern and Fresno counties are being eyed for it.
Gomez said the connection to bring the high-speed train from the Union Pacific Railroad tracks near 16th Street to the BNSF Railway tracks near 25th Street on their way to Castle would be unmanageable.
Backers said the new plan also lets the state build an operating portion of the line without relying on additional money that might never come. Supporters have said they hope construction will generate momentum and private investment to pay for the rest of the project south to the Los Angeles area.
Councilman Josh Pedrozo said he was frustrated that Merced’s stop could be pushed to 2029 without local representatives being allowed to give input.
“The problem was even when the business plan was being worked on, nobody in Merced or Merced County was notified of the changes,” he said. “I find it really hard to believe that there’s no discussion that takes part that can’t come to the communities, for lack of a better term, who have played nice in the sandbox to get this done.”
Major construction on the first 29-mile section began last summer on a viaduct over the Fresno River and Highway 145 east of Madera. In downtown Fresno, the old Tuolumne Street bridge over the Union Pacific railroad tracks was demolished in January and February.
High-Speed Authority officials said other facilities, like a dispatch center, training facility and smaller maintenance hub, are planned and Merced could apply for them.
Councilman Tony Dossetti said the changes have been “disheartening” because the majority of the council has strongly supported high-speed rail in town.
“I feel like we’ve been punched in the face by HSR,” he said.
The council asked City Manager Steve Carrigan to write a letter encompassing their dismay of the changes. The plan is in a comment phase and is set to go to the state Legislature on May 1.
Story here: [www.mercedsunstar.com]
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 Merced council "irked" by high speed rail |
newsboy | 03-23-2016 - 20:44 |
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Re: Merced council "irked" by high speed rail
|
clipper841 | 03-24-2016 - 00:18 |