Fresno Pins Economic Hopes on High-Speed Rail

Writing in CALmatters, Yousef Baig describes the efforts the California Central Valley city of Fresno is making to prepare for the upcoming California high-speed rail (HSR) line that residents hope will breathe new life into the struggling agricultural town. 

“If you listen to California’s political class, the high-speed rail project sounds like a textbook boondoggle – over-budget, delayed and larded up with waste.” But for communities in the Central Valley, the project promises new economic opportunities. “High-speed rail’s success will likely shape the region’s future, helping diversify its economy, build more housing and revitalize cash-strapped cities.”

As Baig explains, cities like Fresno are gearing up for a busy future. “As state and federal governments invest hundreds of millions of dollars to revitalize downtown Fresno and other cities in the valley, people who have been ignored for generations now have a seat at the table, helping plan for new homes, hotels, restaurants and retail.”

The article outlines the long history of the HSR project, which has faced delays and cost increases over its decade-plus lifespan. As Baig points out, while California has funded much of the Central Valley portion, “There’s no money to connect the system to the Bay Area and Southern California until the federal government steps up.”