The Madera County Board of Supervisors voted to accept $5,836,373 in unanticipated revenue from the county’s High‑Speed Rail remediation fund toward the design and construction of Peck Boulevard, a north‑south corridor staff said will relieve traffic congestion in the Riverstone area.

Public Works Director Dominic Tyburski told the board the remediation fund was created to mitigate local impacts of the California high‑speed rail project and that the board previously authorized using the fund to cash‑flow projects the county determines are priorities. Staff said Peck Boulevard from Avenue 10 to Valley Children’s Boulevard (Avenue 9) is a needed corridor to alleviate congestion expected from continued build‑out in Riverstone and nearby developments.

The staff report requested authority to establish the account in expectation of receiving payments and to use the funds for design and construction. Several supervisors expressed concern about committing remediation funds before a repayment agreement with the Gunn(er) Ranch developer was finalized. Staff said a draft agreement is in development and that construction is still some ways out — permitting and right‑of‑way work remain — so there is time to finalize repayment terms before construction funds are expended.

After extended discussion, the board approved the receipt of funds and directed staff to bring back a more detailed presentation on EIFD/CFD repayment timing and the draft agreement with the developer before any construction contracts are executed. The motion passed on a recorded vote. County administrative staff confirmed they will not obligate construction funding until the agreement and repayment mechanics are finalized and documented to the board’s satisfaction.

Public Works staff noted the use of the remediation fund will be repaid from special tax revenues collected within the identified Community Facilities District and that doing the work now accelerates improvements that would otherwise be borne later in higher dollars.