Department of Public Works

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 Jesus.Avitia@fresno.gov.

BNSF BM Project Flyer

BNSF BM Project Flyer Español

Public Meeting #1 Virtual Room

Blackstone Meeting Recording
Main Presentation
Stage Construction Community Input (Survey Monkey)
Aesthetic Theme Community Input (Survey Monkey)
Layout Overall
Community Meeting #1 Questions and Responses

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

The Systemic Local Roadway Safety Report (SSAR) documents the City of Fresno’s work to assess and improve transportation safety conditions citywide. The SSAR serves as the City’s Local Roadway Safety Plan by establishing a vision and goals for transportation safety.

Read the Systemic Local Roadway Safety Report (SSAR)

A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) is a relatively new traffic control device, also known as High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) which makes it safer to cross streets for pedestrians.

The difference between a PHB and a typical traffic signal is that the PHB is dark/inactive until activated by a pedestrian.

LOCATIONS IN FRESNO:

• Bryan Avenue at Acacia Avenue
• Locan Avenue at Cortland Avenue
• Fowler Avenue at the Byrd Avenue alignment

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Educational Flyer

The City of Fresno is introducing some new bicycle facilities to encourage safe transportation diversity. Here is what you need to know!

Class IV Cycle Tracks: Class IV Cycle Tracks or Protected Cycle Tracks provide a physical barrier between the bike lane and moto vehicle traffic, creating a safer cycling zone.

Sharrows (aka Shared Lane Markings): Sharrows are located in the through travel lane or the right turn lane. They indicate a shared lane environment for bicycles and cars where a bike lane is not possible.

Everyone on the road is still required to obey all traffic laws. Sharing the road is easy! To learn more, please watch the videos provided below or visit fresno.gov/bpac.

Exhibit:
Map of High Speed Rail through Fresno 

Documents:
Fresno Design Guidelines for High Speed Rail

Links:
California High-Speed Rail Authority

SB1 Interactive Project Map

What is Senate Bill 1 (SB 1)?
On April 28, 2017, SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 was signed into law by the Governor and established a newly created “Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account” (RMRA). Funding for SB1 comes from increases in per gallon fuel excise taxes, diesel fuel sales taxes, and vehicle registration fees. RMRA will provide an estimated $54 billion statewide over the next decade to address deferred maintenance needs on both the state highway system and local road systems. RMRA will provide an estimated $1.5 billion annually to cities and counties for maintenance and rehabilitation of local streets and roads. The City of Fresno is projected to receive $3 million in the 2017-18 fiscal year and $8.8 million for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

Upcoming and In-Progress SB1 Projects
Repaving projects & concrete repairs:

Safety improvement projects:

Completed SB1 Projects
Slurry seal:

Repaving projects and concrete repairs:

In October 2015, the City of Fresno began construction of recycled water pipelines which will convey recycled water across the City for use at open spaces, parks, street medians, golf courses, cemeteries, and groundwater recharge facilities. The Recycled Water Transmission Mains (RWTMs) will connect to the existing Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility, where the City is constructing a new advanced treatment facility. The treatment process uses micro and membrane technology to clean the water to meet the state and federal standards for non-drinking uses.

RWTMs Fact Sheet
RWTM Letter English
RWTM Letter Spanish
RWTM letter Hmong
Pedestrian Tip Sheet (English)
Pedestrian Tip Sheet (Spanish)
Pedestrian Tip Sheet (Hmong)

On October 10, 2019, Fresno City Council adopted the Complete Streets Policy.

A complete street is a transportation facility that is planned, designed, operated and maintained to provide safe mobility for all users while connecting to a larger transportation network

The City of Fresno recognizes the need for complete streets and will accommodate elements that create a complete street wherever it is feasible. A complete street is a transportation facility that is planned, designed, operated, and maintained to provide safe mobility for all users – including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit vehicles, trucks, and motorists – appropriate to the function and context of the facility while connecting to a larger transportation network. Every complete street looks different, according to its context, community preferences, the types of road users, and their needs. All complete streets are designed to balance safety, access, and mobility for everyone using the street and are necessary to create connected networks citywide.

Complete Streets Policy (PDF)

Complete Streets Policy Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report

What is wayfinding signage?

Wayfinding signs are used in public places to help people find their way to destinations and preferred routes. You may have seen wayfinding signage near popular visitor destinations, in downtown areas, or even in the airport or at the mall. Wayfinding signage is designed to help people safely and conveniently reach their ultimate destination and is especially important for those traveling on foot, by bicycle, or on transit.

Why does signage and wayfinding matter?

Wayfinding signage provides clear, accessible information to all users traveling on Fresno’s trails. Specifically, wayfinding signage:

• Helps visitors and residents become more familiar with options for traveling by transit or bicycle or on foot in Fresno and helps them find the best routes to their destination.
• Indicates preferred routes that are intended for bicycling and walking and are thus more comfortable and convenient.
• Provides supplemental information like mileage and travel time, which is especially helpful to encourage more short trips to be made by foot or bicycle instead of driving.
• Improves safety by alerting drivers to use extra caution around people walking and biking near or along their travel route.

Thanks to the publics feedback, the wayfinding plan for the city’s trail network is now finalized.

Fresno Wayfinding Plan

The City of Fresno is seeking your feedback on potential Active Transportation Projects. Please visit links below to complete our surveys, by June 3^rd. Your input is important to us!

Midtown Trail Survey (English & Spanish):

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MidtownTrailATP22

Palm Avenue Bikeway (English & Spanish):

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PalmBikewayATP22

For any questions regarding the surveys, please email:

Carla.Gonzalez@fresno.gov