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4 years agoon
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Jody MurrayIn northwest Fresno, “traffic” is a dirty word. Decades of piecemeal planning and years of rapid growth have spawned long lines of vehicles on major avenues during rush hour.
There’s a release valve planned for the plugged-up traffic surrounding Shaw and Herndon avenues, but it’s been on the drafting board for more than three decades. Residents who have seen the “coming soon” signs for Veterans Boulevard might wonder if it will ever come to be.
Actually, secondary construction on the boulevard has begun. Scott Mozier, Fresno public works director, said the $139 million project — a six-lane, north-to-south slash from Herndon to Shaw, with a major interchange at Highway 99 in between — could fully open in 2023.
What do the candidates for the empty northwest Fresno seat on the city council say about the area’s traffic congestion? GV Wire put that question to three of the candidates at a recent forum. Jared Gordon, Mike Karbassi, and Oscar Sandoval are vying for the District 2 seat vacated by Steve Brandau, who is now on the Board of Supervisors.
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Two candidates, Lawrence Garcia and George Herman, chose not to participate in the forum. A special election is scheduled for Aug. 13.Gordon said he has experienced the traffic jams along Herndon and Shaw avenues, near Highway 99, and avoids them when he can. He said he hoped the district could get a dose of federal money if Congress and the Trump administration ever agree on an infrastructure package.
Jared Gordon
Karbassi said he was confident Veterans Boulevard will be completed with federal funding — “and it’s our tax dollars, coming back to Fresno.” He also said northwest Fresno’s traffic issues extend well beyond the boulevard project.
Mike Karbassi
Oscar Sandoval
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