Madera deserves high-speed rail facility

Your recent article, “Time is money – $50 million – for high-speed rail delays in Fresno area,” highlights the benefits of cost-saving solutions as the high-speed rail project moves forward.

For example, the High-Speed Rail Authority is currently considering where to locate a heavy maintenance facility to service its trains. Proposed sites in Madera County will help minimize costs and delays associated with land acquisition.

Unlike other potential sites for the heavy maintenance facility, Madera County’s sites are shovel ready, connected to existing infrastructure and located on single parcels with willing sellers. They are also optimally situated to reduce future operation costs due to their proximity to the “wye” where the San Jose- and Sacramento-bound lines split.

Madera County is the cheaper, faster, smarter option that will help ensure a cost-effective transportation solution for California.

This story was originally published August 18, 2016 at 12:28 PM with the headline "Madera deserves high-speed rail facility."