Agenda Item Wording:
title
Letter of support for Hanford (Kings County) High-Speed Rail Heavy Maintenance Facility site selection - Approve a draft letter of support for the selection of the Hanford (Kings County) site for the Central Valley High-Speed Rail Heavy Maintenance Facility.
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Agenda Date: 09/08/2026
Prepared by:
John Lollis, Assistant City Manager, John.Lollis@visalia.gov, (559)713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends the City Council approve a draft letter of support for the selection of the Hanford (Kings County) site for the Central Valley High-Speed Rail Heavy Maintenance Facility.
Summary:
The California High-Speed Rail Authority is currently evaluating potential sites for the Central Valley Heavy Maintenance Facility (HMF), with the selected location to serve as the State’s single 300-acre location and main hub for train assembly, inspections and testing, heavy maintenance, overhauls, and major component replacements for the entire high-speed fleet. The Authority’s site screening process identified Fresno and Hanford site alternatives for further evaluation in the environmental review process. The proposed Fresno location is in south Fresno approximately forty (40) miles from Downtown Visalia, centered at the intersection of American and Cedar Avenues. The proposed Hanford location is southeast of Hanford approximately twenty (20) miles from Downtown Visalia, centered along the high-speed rail line between Houston and Idaho Avenues. Given the proximity to Visalia, past support for a Kings-Tulare station, as well as ongoing connectivity efforts between Visalia, Hanford and Lemoore in development of the Cross Valley Corridor express bus service, staff recommends providing a letter of support for the Hanford site alternative.
Background Discussion:
Beginning in late 2023, the Authority began evaluating potential sites for the HMF and completed preliminary screening analysis of eleven (11) potential HMF sites. Two (2) sites were deemed to be feasible alternatives to be considered for further environmental evaluation.
The sites were evaluated based on operational and environmental criteria, including:
• Proximity to the early operating segment
• Available size and geometry of the sites
• Ability to provide two independent connections to HSR tracks and one to the freight rail network
• Environmental and community considerations
Information gathered during the scoping process will help in the preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The final EIR and EIS is intended to be presented for review and approval in mid to late 2027. The Authority is now seeking public input on the two (2) remaining alternatives, with the public comment period running from August 14 to September 14, 2026.
The HMF is anticipated to employ hundreds of direct skilled day- and night-shift jobs initially and potentially up to 2,000 permanent specialized jobs over time, including specialist technicians-machinists, electronic technicians/welders, office engineers, maintenance staff, train preparation staff, and support staff.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: No fiscal impact
Prior Council Action:
January 6, 2020: Letter of Support for Merced-Fresno-Bakersfield interim operating segment including the Tulare-Kings Stop
Alternatives:
1. Support the Fresno site alternative
2. Support both the Fresno and Hanford site alternatives
3. Do not support either the Hanford or Fresno site alternatives
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the draft letter of support for the selection of the Hanford (Kings County) site for the Central Valley High-Speed Rail Heavy Maintenance Facility.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 09/14/2026
Attachments:
1. Draft Letter of Support
2. California High-Speed Rail Authority: Notice of Preparation
3. City Council Agenda Staff Report: January 6, 2020
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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