With no pronouncement from the superior court judge so far the California High Speed Rail Authority board has again postponed a decision on a preferred alignment the bullet train will take in Kings County. That CHSRA decision had been set for June 6 but the item was removed in an amended agenda today.
Friday was the court hearing on the lawsuit brought by Kings County and residents of the county who live near the east alignment alternative. Judge Michael Kenny heard the case May 31 but has yet to issue a ruling on whether the CHSRA can use Prop 1A state bond funds to built the statewide rail route.
The indecision on the court ruling appears to be impacting at least the timing of a CHSRA choice on whether the train should go east or west of Hanford connecting the 110 mile Fresno to Bakersfield segment.
The staff of the CHSRA had made a preliminary recommendation to the board to support a west of Hanford route as the preferred alternative but lobbying by Tulare County who favor the eastern route and station site east of Hanford – has been heavy.
High Speed rail staff have yet to say whether they still support that April choice favoring the western route and station near Armona or change their tune.
It is still possible the board will not support a station in the region at all.
That puts the final board decision off at least until the July meeting. It is in that month that the CHSRA has said they will break ground on the Madera to Fresno segment.