Valley leaders react to Newsom's High Speed Rail announcement in Shafter

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The California High-Speed Rail is 1 measurement person to becoming a reality.

In Shafter connected Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced 3 large updates to the project. Newsom announced they're present capable to commencement operation connected the railhead, that Construction Package 4 is present implicit and that they're moving with the High Desert Corridor and Brightline West successful Las Vegas to link those systems to California High-Speed Rail.

"We are yet here, announcing this railhead project, moving guardant to laic this track, and to get this task to a constituent wherever occurrence becomes irresistible," helium said. 

These updates were breathtaking for Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer. 

"This is truly our accidental to beryllium reconnected to that California system done high-speed rail. If you tin ideate radical moving successful the Silicon Valley, but surviving successful Downtown Fresno, and that is what high-speed obstruction means to america is reconnecting to the broader authorities of California," Dyer said. 

And High-Speed Rail Authority Board Member and erstwhile Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea agrees with Dyer. Perea said having the hub successful Downtown Fresno volition beryllium immense for revitalization. He said Monday's updates were important, and now, they're moving connected the adjacent steps. 

"As a board, this year, we are going to beryllium awarding the contracts for who volition beryllium really gathering the way and systems, and we're going to beryllium buying the trains," Perea said. 

But, not everyone is connected board. After years of delays and fund increases, District 8 Assemblymember David Tangipa, isn't truthful definite Monday's property league was immoderate progress. He said the project's $100 cardinal terms tag, has small to amusement for it. 

"There's a batch of, again, ribbon cuttings, groundbreaking announcements, celebrations. I'm waiting for thing that is tangible," helium said. 

Tangipa adds helium understands the entreaty of occupation instauration opportunities the task provides, but is yet not satisfied with however the task has approached funding. 

"I emotion projects and I judge that infrastructure projects are portion of our future, but not erstwhile it's thing that doesn't person a existent fiscal plan," helium said. 

The property merchandise from the governor's bureau stated they anticipation to person rider work disposable astir 2030 to 2033.