It's also not known yet how much the highway relocation will cost.

"Caltrans is currently working up estimates for this portion of the package," Burcar said. "Our goal is to get an estimate back from Caltrans sometime this summer."

Last summer, when the authority issued a draft report detailing route options between Merced and Fresno, officials estimated that the highway relocation may cost about $142 million. Burcar said the actual price could be higher or lower, depending on the cost that Caltrans comes up with.

The cost, she added, is included in the overall estimate of $1.5 billion to $2 billion for the construction work through Fresno.

Fellenz said Caltrans will be expected to handle right-of-way acquisitions, perform design and construction, and manage the highway relocation project.

The authority, in addition to the cost to acquire the property, is required by law to pick up the cost of relocating businesses that would be displaced by the moved-over highway -- and anywhere else along the route through the state.

The effects on businesses are not lost on Fresno city leaders. Last month, City Council members Clint Olivier, Andreas Borgeas and Lee Brand said they are worried about the loss of jobs, sales- and property-tax revenue from businesses that are forced to close or move.

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin has said many times that she is working with businesses and with the rail authority to make sure the state lives up to its commitment to provide business assistance.

On Thursday, the Fresno City Council may take up a proposal by Council Member Larry Westerlund to set up an internal team at City Hall to work specifically with owners of businesses directly affected by the project. Westerlund also hopes to establish city policies to speed the time that it takes to review plans and approve permits for relocating businesses.

"This is a huge project and there are a whole lot of moving parts," Westerlund said Tuesday. "The city's attitude in this is incredibly important, and we need to be business-friendly and move judiciously through the process."

Westerlund said the city's message to affected businesses must be that "whatever we can do to help you, we're here to help you."