Featured Projects

Veterans Boulevard

The Veterans Boulevard Project includes the construction of a new six-lane super-arterial roadway in northwest Fresno; an interchange at State Route (SR) 99, with a grade separation over the realigned Golden State Boulevard and grade separation of future California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) tracks and existing Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) track; a northern extension of Veterans Boulevard to Herndon Avenue; a southern extension of Veterans Boulevard to Shaw Avenue; a 12’-wide Class I multipurpose trail; and installation of adaptive intelligent transportation technology for traffic synchronization.

Overall project work was split into the following design and construction phases to accommodate scheduled utility relocations, expedite existing funding, and create appropriately scaled opportunities for local contractors to participate in the construction work:

Phase 1 – Bullard Extension – (Complete) Phase 1 includes extending Bullard Avenue to Veterans Boulevard and storm drain improvements.

Phase 2 – Veterans Grade Separation – (Under Construction) Phase 2 includes the UPRR and CHSRA grade separation; the southerly jug handle (“J1” as identified subsequently) connecting Veterans Boulevard and realigned Golden State Boulevard; reconstructing Carnegie Avenue to eliminate an at-grade UPRR crossing and; embankment and partial street improvements between the Veterans Boulevard/Bullard Avenue/Riverside Drive intersection and the UPRR/CHSRA grade separation.

Phase 3 – Veterans Interchange Project – (Under Construction) Phase 3 includes: The Veterans Boulevard/State Route 99 interchange; the northerly jug handle (“J2” as identified subsequently); Veterans Boulevard overcrossing of Golden State Boulevard, and; completing Veterans Boulevard between Wathen Avenue and the Veterans Boulevard/Bryan Avenue/Barstow Avenue intersection. This phase also includes the extension of Sierra Avenue to Bullard Avenue.

Phase 4a – Veterans South Extension Project – (Complete) Phase 4a includes: extension of Veterans Boulevard from the Bryan Avenue/Barstow Avenue intersection to Shaw Avenue; and a box culvert at the Herndon Canal.

Phase 4b – Veterans North Extension Project – (Future) Phase 4b includes: the extension of Veterans Boulevard from Wathen Avenue to Herndon Avenue; modifications to Hayes Avenue between Herndon Avenue and Veterans Boulevard, and; improvements to access between Veterans Boulevard and Herndon Avenue.

Phase 5a – Veterans Multipurpose Trail from Hayes to Herndon – (Complete) Phase 5a includes the Class I trail improvements along Veterans Boulevard from Herndon Avenue to Hayes Avenue.

BNSF Blackstone McKinley Grade Separation Project

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City of Fresno BNSF Blackstone McKinley Grade Separation Project

The City of Fresno has awarded a contract to AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) for professional engineering services for the design of plans and general construction contract documents for the BNSF Blackstone McKinley Grade Separation Project. The Project is being supported by funding from Measure C and will allow the City of Fresno to create a double grade railroad separation at the busy intersection located just east of Fresno City College. The grade separation Project will eliminate the existing at-grade crossing of the BNSF tracks at North Blackstone and East McKinley separating train traffic from vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Current conditions at the intersection include:

An average of 29 trains per day
Average daily traffic on Blackstone includes 16,742 vehicles, 154 passenger buses, and 17 school buses
Average daily traffic on McKinley 13,948 vehicles, 46 passenger buses, and 32 school buses
210 crossing gates down, blocking events with an average of 2-minutes 48 seconds of delay over a 5-day period
Four deaths over the last ten years

By moving vehicle traffic to an underpass below the BNSF tracks, several roadway improvement objectives are accomplished including increasing capacity, decreasing traffic flow interruptions, improving safety, decreasing vehicle-pedestrian conflicts, and reducing vehicle-train conflict and delay. The average delay will be reduced at the intersection improving traffic operations, reducing traffic congestion, and lower motor vehicle emissions. The separation will improve emergency service response times, eliminate train horns, and increase railroad operational efficiency.

The Project will support the City’s Southern Blackstone Smart Mobility Plan and will be compatible and build on the “Better Blackstone” initiative. The “Better Blackstone” initiative is intended to diversify and improve land uses along the corridor, make it more pedestrian friendly, and improve its aesthetics. The City is committed to the community driven vision and framework identified in the Southern Blackstone Smart Mobility Plan. Guiding principles for the design work includes:

Identifying safety improvements and access for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclist, and transit riders
Creating a sense of place and identity, embracing Fresno’s rich history and diversity of culture
Incorporating a mix of pedestrian-oriented retail, office, and residential spaces
Providing opportunities for gateway improvements and wayfinding signage

Early utility construction is expected to begin in Summer 2023 and the main grade separation construction in winter 2025 is anticipated to be completed by Spring 2027.

City of Fresno Project Manager, Jesus Avitia, P.E. is available to answer questions at (559) 621-8804 or [email protected].

For funding information on this project visit FCTA’s website at https://measurec.com/bnsf-grade-separation/

Midtown Trail Program

Coming Soon

Southeast Regional Park

Coming Soon

Firestation 10 & 12

Coming Soon

TCC Projects

Coming Soon