High-Speed Rail Comes to Allensworth

  

At their December 20, 2010 board meeting the California High-Speed Rail Authority voted to committee matching state funds to the additional $616 million Federal High-Speed Rail Support funds – which were redistributed after being returned by Wisconsin and Ohio. These additional funds bring the total available for construction of the first segment of the California High-Speed rail to $5.5 billion.

The initial segment will begin in the Central Valley and incorporate as many as 120 miles depending on which of the alternative alignments are selected.

• Through Corcoran OR Corcoran Bypass
• West of Allensworth Park OR along BNSF east of Allensworth Park
• Through Wasco & Shafter OR Wasco & Shafter Bypass

The alignment adjacent to the BNSF will impact Allensworth State Historic Park , the alternative west of the BNSF will avoid Allensworth State Historic Park.

The first segment will begin near Madera, north of Fresno, and end in Shafter, about 10 miles north of Bakersfield. If the more expensive alignments are selected the track will only be about 90 miles and stop at Allensworth. Alignment selection will be made after all environmental studies have been completed.

 
Stephen Hill, Sr.

California State Parks Foundation Travel Center

Now you can make your reservations for the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park campground and help the California State Parks Foundation at the same time. The California State Parks Foundation has partnered with The Active Network, EveryTrail, and Travelcity Partner Network to create the new California State Parks Foundation Travel Center. For each reservation made through the travel center the California State Parks Foundation receives 50 cent. California State Parks Foundation members will also get up to 10 percent off of their camping reservation.


At the California State Parks Foundation travel center you can:

• Download trail guides for different state parks

• Reserve rental cars

• Book flights

• Make hotel reservations

To receive your member discount and for the California State Parks Foundation to earn 50 cent you have to go to http://www.calparks.org/travel/.

Take a few minutes now to bookmark the California State Parks Foundation travel center, even better reserve one of the parks 115 campsites for the Friends of Allensworth Black History Month program in February or Colonel Allen Allensworth’s birthday celebration in April.



Stephen Hill, Sr.