When Gary Lanfranco found out his downtown Fresno property was needed as part of the high-speed rail project, he was understandably upset. The Cosmopolitan Tavern, a popular local restaurant, has stood at the corner of Fresno and G Streets since 1923.
"It was probably the most emotional experience of my life," says Lanfranco. "I didn't know what I was going to do."
But with the help of the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the City of Fresno, he was able to buy property to build a new restaurant with more parking.
"The people that I worked with were actually very, very good," he says. "My right-of-way agent was easy to work with. [Regional Director] Diana Gomez was a real pleasure to work with."
The Cosmo's new home is currently under construction next to Selland Arena and the Fresno Convention Center. It's expected to open in the spring.
"It's a positive move for us," says Lanfranco. "All the anxiety I had in the beginning is gone."
To meet some of the other Faces of High-Speed Rail click HERE.
Latest Developments
NEWS RELEASE: Tuolumne Street Bridge Demolition Set to Begin in Early January 2016
FRESNO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) will kick off the New Year with the demolition of the Tuolumne Street Bridge in Downtown Fresno. This will make way for construction of a new, higher bridge that will accommodate the high-speed rail line and allow for two-way traffic. Read the news release HERE.
STUDY: Increasing Highway Capacity May Increase Traffic Congestion
UC Davis, Calif. – A new study from the National Center for Sustainable Transportation shows increasing high capacity won't likely relieve traffic congestion. In fact, more roadways may actually mean more cars. Read the full report HERE.
VIDEO: Update on HSR Construction in the Central Valley
Fresno, Calif. – Progress is being made on the California high-speed rail project on a number of fronts. Get an update on construction packages 1, 2-3 and 4. Click HERE to see the video update.
Connect With Us
State Campaigns
 |
 |
 |
Click the map to see the proposed alignments for high-speed rail, a closer look at the project sections, and a detailed look at the proposed station sites.
- Board Meeting Information
- Careers
- Contracts Currently out to Bid
- Construction & Road Closure Alerts
- Environmental Planning
- Project Sections
- Small Business Program
Links
Tweets by @CaHSRA
Use QuickMap to find information on how high-speed rail construction is impacting road travel in your area. You can also find real-time traffic information from across the state, including traffic congestion, lane closures, and chain controls.