High Speed Rail forcing closure of businesses in Northwest Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Several businesses will be forced out in a busy part of Northwest Fresno to make way for High Speed Rail.

The Union Pacific is a common sight for drivers heading down Golden State near Herndon. Eventually a must faster bullet train is expected to travel through this area and cut through where Starbucks, Subway and Yukon Jack's currently stand.

"They notified us about two years ago that they were going to widen golden state and put in high speed rail," said Yukon Jack's owner, Kelly Allred.

Signs are already posted outside the restaurant. Allred says it hasn't been easy to find another spot to move her restaurant.

"It's been tough. It's never kind of what you think it's going to be. At first you think it's not going to happen and then when you go into eminent domain it gets real. Then you have to find out how you are going to make this all work," said Allred.

People who commute this way are worried about the employees who work here.

"As far as the restaurants I don't think it's fair unless you are going to give the jobs away from the people you are taking it away from. I don't think it's right," said Joshua Hoyer.

Diana Gomez with High Speed Rail says the two hotels at the intersection will not be impacted but the Rail Authority is still working on the final design plan to figure out whether Taco Bell and the Shell Gas station may also have to move.

"Probably within a month or so we will determine the final design and what the footprint will be for that final design," said Gomez.