The CEO of the California High Speed Rail project Jeff Morales was at the construction site, today, as foundation work begins on the first bridge structure in Madera.
This is the most visible construction of the high speed rail project at the 145 and Fresno River in Madera- where construction of one of 3 viaducts has just gotten underway.
The Fresno river viaduct will run from avenue 17 in Madera to East American Avenue in Fresno County.
Morales says the rail project translates into 300 million dollars worth of business opportunities.
27 businesses in Fresno and Madera are involved in the project.
“We’ve really made an effort to make sure that we are focusing as much of the economic return here in the region employing small businesses, employing workers from the area, and putting incentives into our contracts for local hiring. We are working with the local unions, and the workforce investment board to make sure the people are trained to be able to get the jobs here ….we want to focus as much as possible the economic return here in the Valley.” – California High Speed Rail CEO Jeff Morales.
Supervisor Henry Perea called it “a historic day,” saying all eyes are on Fresno as the span begins, and compares it to the highway work that President Eisenhower began to connect the nation.
“After this function, we’ll see about 5 or 6 different sites between here and Downtown Fresno -some over crossings and other things over the course of the summer, we’ll have construction going in about a half dozen different sites along this 29 miles.” — California High Speed Rail CEO Jeff Morales.
Contractor “TPZP” estimates the Viaduct project will take 75 workers between nine and 12 months to complete.
