SACRAMENTO – Some noteworthy highway projects are coming to major roadways in Tulare and Fresno County, along with some upgrades to walkways in downtown Fresno.
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) is investing over $3.1 billion to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure, including funding from Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), 2017’s Road Repair and Accountability Act and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
“Thanks to the California Transportation Commission’s ongoing investment in new and improved infrastructure, Caltrans continues to build a better and safer transportation network that serves all Californians,” said Tony Tavares, Caltrans director. “These funds will help us enhance the state’s system of highways, rest areas, bikeways and pedestrian routes.”
In Tulare County, a $5.2 million project on Highway 99 is set to rehabilitate drainage systems in and near the city of Tulare at various locations, from 1.3 miles north of the Avenue 152 overcrossing to 0.8 miles south of the Fresno County line. Another project coming in at about $10.9 million will repair and replace culverts near Visalia, from Highway 198 to the Fresno County line at various locations and is receiving funds of $3.1 million from SB 1.
For Fresno County projects, there are multiple in the works to reconstruct and upgrade the surrounding cities, according to Caltrans.
A project in the city of Fresno will be installing a neighborhood-safe school crossing downtown. With high intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) beacons and pedestrian improvements at the intersections of Abby Street and Clay Avenue, Abby Street and Harvey Avenue and Blackstone and Illinois Avenue, this project is receiving SB 1 funding of $152,000.
In Firebaugh, a city within Fresno County, a $15.3 million project will reconstruct Highway 33, replace signs, install TMS elements, upgrade guardrail and facilities to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and rehabilitate drainage systems from Morris Kyle Drive to 0.6 miles north of Clyde Fannon Drive. IIJA is funding $13.6 million and SB1 $321,000.
The IIJA, also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” is funding more than $1 billion into the effort. The law is a once-in-a-generation investment in the U.S.’s infrastructure to improve its energy, water, broadband and transportation systems.
Since November of 2021, California alone has received more than $43 billion in federal infrastructure funding, including upgrades to roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, electric vehicle charging network, ports and waterways. The funding has created more than 87,000 jobs.
SB1, funding nearly $458 million, has provided $5 billion in transportation funding annually divided between the state and local agencies.
The most recently approved California projects include $43 million to upgrade the water and wastewater systems at the east and west bound Cactus City Roadside Rest Areas along Interstate 10 near Indio; $29 million to improve on-ramps and off-ramps near Fairfield and a $41 million project near Pismo Beach that will include new bike lanes and bikeway designations.
To find more projects California is continuing to build, visit Build.ca.gov and RebuildingCA.ca.gov.
