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.