Board Approves Allensworth Bypass

At their November 7^th meeting, the California High Speed Rail (CHSR) Authority adopted the staff recommendation for the Fresno to Bakersfield alignment, which includes the Allensworth bypass.  Unlike the BNSF (Burlington North Santa Fe) Alternative through Allensworth, the Allensworth Bypass does not impact Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park or the Allensworth Ecological Reserve. Both the park and reserve are Section 4(f) properties, which are protected by the Federal HighwayAdministration.

On October 10^th the CHSR Authority issued a request for qualifications to companies interested in bidding on the 60-mile Fresno-Allensworth section of the rail line. This is the second section of the rail line and will run from the south end of Fresno to the Tulare-Kern county line just south of the community of Allensworth and Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. 

Contractors have until December 6th to submit their qualifications, then only contractors that the CHSR Authority deems qualified are able to bid on the contact for the Fresno-Allensworth section.