California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Roelof van Ark will resign, the Authority has confirmed.
He will officially step down after the next 60 days and will serve as an adviser to the project through the end of the year, said Authority Spokeswoman Rachel Wall, who herself is also resigning.
Gov. Jerry Brown’s office asked van Ark to stay on as an adviser, Wall said.
Van Ark announced his decision Thursday afternoon. The outgoing CEO has visited Gilroy to meet with local leaders three times, most recently last Friday.
Authority board Chair Tom Umberg also announced his resignation Thursday. The board will vote next month on a new chair. Umberg has nominated board member Dan Richard to replace him, Wall said.
The controversial high-speed rail project has come under intense, increased scrutiny over the last several months after new budget projections put the line’s price tag at almost $100 billion – three times more than when voters approved the project in 2008.
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