Citing the increasing demands of his professional responsibilities and the fact that the high-speed rail project has reached critical milestones, Russell E. Burns has resigned from the California High Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors.

Mr. Burns, an appointee of the Speaker of the Assembly, is the Business Manager of Operating Engineers Local 3. “Russ Burns has worked very hard to help bring high speed rail to point where we are ready to begin construction,” said CHSRA Board Chairman Dan Richard. “Russ has been there at every critical juncture, as we’ve reshaped the project, brought in new management and prepared for the next phase of actually building the first leg of the system.

Russ is recognized as one of the most thoughtful and effective labor leaders in California. We will miss his service on our board, but congratulate him on beginning his new term as Business Manager of Operating Engineers Local 3. We know he will continue his efforts to help put Californians back to work and we thank him for his contributions to making high speed rail a reality in California.”