For 10 months, traffic signals stood dark at a busy southeast Fresno intersection — poles and lights installed but inactive. Drivers waited at temporary stop signs at Fowler and Olive avenues to access Highway 180.

Last week, Fresno County officials finally flipped the switch making the signal operational. The total price tag: $2.4 million.

“All the infrastructure was not available until more recently,” said Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, who represents the area. “We did see some poles that were going into the ground that seemed like they were there for many months before we saw the whole intersection fully materialize.”

Planning for the project took years, including acquiring land, securing rights of way, and purchasing equipment. County records show preliminary engineering authorization began in 2018.

Tree removal, obtaining the land and right of way, and equipment added to the cost.

City Will Maintain Signal

Although the signal was a county project, the city of Fresno needed to give its final sign off, and the county had to build to city standards. The land is within the city’s sphere of influence — meaning it could eventually be annexed — so the city will maintain the signal.

City of Fresno Public Works Director Scott Mozier said that even though the city wasn’t responsible for the project, it fielded several complaints about the lengthy delay.

Magsig said planning for a traffic signal at the intersection should have happened more than a decade ago, when Highway 180 expanded eastward.

“As more and more traffic use the highway system, it impacts intersections that are close by. It was not part of (the highway expansion project),” Magsig said. “This is something that should have been done years ago.”

State grants helped pay for the signal.

Hank’s Swank Thankful for New Signal

Hank’s Swank Golf Course has been at the corner of Fowler and Olive for 41 years.

Owner Hank Bocchini Jr. said it was frustrating to get in and out of his driving range, especially during high traffic times.

“It has definitely helped the flow of traffic. There were times when we could not get out of our driveway. We had to turn in the wrong direction just to get out,” Bocchini said. “But now it flows a lot smoother.”

The county initially valued the Bocchini’s property used for the signal from the price 40 years ago when it took it through eminent domain, Bocchini said. He objected and was able to get a fairer deal.

Nearby Traffic Light Took Just Months

Just 1.5 miles away, a traffic signal installation project at Temperance and McKinley avenues took three months from marking the ground to activation.

The traffic isn’t nearly as busy. It is home to future home developments for Century Communities and KB Homes. In fact, the light stands on a concrete pad that is the only developed part of an empty lot.

There are two major differences from the Fowler/Olive project — the signal is within the city of Fresno jurisdiction; and the homebuilder  — Century Communities — was responsible for its installation.

“There were a lot more moving components with this particular project (Fowler/Olive) than others that you see that are fully within Fresno’s city limits,” Magsig said.