California high-speed rail construction sparks homeowner outrage in Madera County

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. — Residents in a Madera County neighborhood are expressing frustration over a high-speed rail construction project that has dramatically altered their community's landscape.

The construction of a vehicle overpass, part of the California High-Speed Rail project, has been ongoing for a year, leaving homeowners like Dalia Pena grappling with the changes.

"I don't know why they thought it was ever okay for them to build so close to our home knowing what comes with the construction," said Pena, who lives on the 26,000 block of Wayside Way, just north of Madera.

Ken Whalen, a resident of 24 years living across the street from Pena, voiced concerns about the impact on property values and privacy. "I'm worried about the value of my home.

Probably more than anything just the noise. Our fear is you have no privacy in your backyard cause of the height that it is," Whalen said.

Rocio Gomez, who lives four doors down, cited noise and dust as her primary complaints. "My daughter actually started getting asthma after the construction got started.

They're not able to go in the backyard which is something hard to explain to a child why they can't go to the backyard," Gomez said.

The Road 26 grade separation, a 636-foot-long and 68-foot-wide structure, is designed to allow vehicle traffic to pass over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and future high-speed rail lines.

Despite homeowner claims of inadequate warning, the High-Speed Rail Authority stated that community meetings were held at Berenda School in December 2023, and in February and March 2024.

Pena described the disruption caused by the construction, saying, "When they were drilling the entire house would shake. It was so loud I couldn't hold a conversation on the phone."

The High-Speed Rail Authority said it is working closely with Pena to address her concerns and mitigate short-term impacts. Surveyors recently confirmed that the structure is seven feet from Pena's property line.

Whalen expressed skepticism about potential resolutions, fearing a forced buyout. "My fear if this gets really out of control they come and buy you out. If that devalues the price of my home I lose money. I don't believe that is fair," Whalen said.

The High-Speed Rail Authority clarified that there is no chance of a buyout, as it has already purchased 2,272 of the 2,290 parcels needed for the 119-mile construction stretch.

The authority stated it can only legally purchase what is necessary for the project.

"They just expect us to sell. We're not going to get market value if we sell the home because who's gonna want to move into this," Pena added.

The Road 26 grade separation is expected to be completed by this fall, according to the High-Speed Rail Authority. However, for homeowners in this Madera County neighborhood, the view looking west has permanently changed,

and few consider it an improvement. High Speed Rail says its goal is to have the Road 26 grade separation finished by this fall.