California’s quest to build a $68 billion high-speed
rail system is facing more potential delays and costs as the state haggles over
property rights with Central Valley farmers
and land investors -- and more legal cases are just around the bend.
The state broke ground just after New Year’s on the first
part of the estimated $68 billion San Francisco-to-Los Angeles bullet train -- considered the most expensive
public works project in U.S.
history. When completed, officials say it is expected to travel between the two
cities in under three hours and at speeds up to 200 mph.
The estimated completion date is 2029, but the deadline is
being threatened by farmers and other property owners in the valley who are
balking at initial offers for their land. The result has been the state taking taking some to court under the process of eminent domain,
in which the government would have the power to take private property for
public use.Continue reading at ….. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/03/17/property-rights-battles-threaten-to-further-slow-california-costly-long-awaited/
Several residents said they fear the city may invoke eminent
domain powers to acquire property for projects associated with the downtown
master plan.
AssistantCity Administrator James Drinkard said a 2005 resolution prevents the city from
using eminent domain to advance private development or redevelopment projects.
However, if properties are deemed essential and negotiations with owners are
unsuccessful, he said the city will consider using eminent domain for “critical
public projects.”