BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — City leaders in Shafter held a public meeting with the California High-Speed Rail Authority to discuss proposed changes and improvements within the city.
The city of Shafter held a special meeting on October 27 at the Shafter Veterans Memorial Hall to discuss updates on the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) project.{ }{p}KBAK/KBFX{/p}
However, the meeting was met with significant criticism from the community.
Many attendees expressed strong opposition, with some raising their voices at representatives from the rail authority.
A Shafter resident, who has lived in Shafter for nearly 90 years, said, “I’ve never seen anything so stupid in my life.”
Another resident accused the authority of not caring about the community, stating, “You don’t care about a community. Because you are decimating it.”
A major concern raised by public commenters was why Shafter must bear the impact of the rail line cutting directly through the city, while other communities have not faced the same issue.
The city of Shafter held a special meeting on October 27 at the Shafter Veterans Memorial Hall to discuss updates on the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) project.{ }{p}KBAK/KBFX{/p}
Cameron Hunter, a resident, pointed out, “You look at every other town coming through the valley, and the smaller ones, they’re going around it, or they’re going, just skimming the edge.” He added, “But here in Shafter, they’re dissecting straight through the middle.”
The rail authority presented an overview of proposed project changes, including grade separation variations such as overpasses or underpasses along Fresno Avenue, Shafter Avenue, Central Avenue, and East Lerdo Highway.
Presenters claimed these changes could bring benefits like reducing noise and dust, improving safety, and shortening construction time by up to two years.
Despite these proposed benefits, several residents spoke about the project’s direct impact on their daily lives, from school children crossing busy areas to local businesses already feeling the effects.
Some residents reported being evicted or sued by the rail authority.
The city of Shafter held a special meeting on October 27 at the Shafter Veterans Memorial Hall to discuss updates on the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) project. {p}KBAK/KBFX{/p}
Hunter criticized the authority’s approach, saying, “They’re standing inside, and they’re listening to us speak, but they’re not considering anything. And when it comes to the back door dealings, they are like vicious wolves.”
Attendees urged city leaders to support them in their fight against the rail plans.
Hunter emphasized, “We really need the city to back us up because it’s, people might not see it now. It truly is like a fight for survival in our city and for our businesses and for our way of life.”
The high-speed rail authority will now seek approval to move forward with its proposed design changes, allowing city and state staff to draft new engineering plans and update the existing settlement agreement.