With only preliminary designs of highway bridges, rail structures and utility relocations, it was difficult to know how much land would be needed and the degree to which farms would be hit. One problem was the agency’s decision to issue construction contracts with only 15% of the rail design completed, a so-called design-build approach. He added that the authority tried to minimize effects on farmers, cover their expenses and ensure they got fair-market value for land. “We understand the concerns of private property owners affected during the acquisition of their property … and construction of the high-speed rail system,” wrote Don Odell, the agency’s director of real property.
I think it played a role in what happened.”Īsked about the allegations of nonpayment, the rail authority issued a statement, though it did not explain why the problem existed. Ray Carter, who voluntarily sold his farmland, says he has been owed $630,000 for three years.Ĭarter’s brother-in-law, Vince Carter, also could not collect money for farm property that the California High-Speed Rail Authority took, which gave him a “lot of frustration,” Ray Carter said. Wasser says Brenda Church, a former client, has been owed $1.9 million for three years. John Tos, a big grower who has waged a legal battle against the project, says the state owes him $150,000. Tim Raven, a walnut and almond grower, is owed $500,000, he told The Times.
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