Golden State Corridor

Economic Development Infrastructure Improvements: Planning, Engineering and Environmental Study

Fresno Council of Governments has been requested by the cities of Fowler, Selma, Kingsburg, and the County of Fresno to oversee the design phase of the Golden State Corridor Project.  The project extends over 14.1 miles from just south of American Avenue to Mission Street (in Kingsburg). For a project vicinity map, click HERE. The multijurisdictional area of the project passes through the cities of Fowler, Selma, and Kingsburg, and the unincorporated areas under the responsibility of the County of Fresno, but within the Sphere of Influence of one of the three cities. Improvements along the length of the Corridor will include economic analysis, infrastructure improvements, pavement rehabilitation, drainage facilities, traffic signals, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, landscaping, and other hardscape improvements. The goal of this project is to revitalize the Corridor, enhance economic development, and improve Corridor safety for both commercial purposes as well as local drivers.  The construction phase will be administered by the Fresno County Transportation Authority.  Funding for the Golden State Corridor Improvements has been made available in the Measure “C” Sales Tax Extension, passed by the voters of Fresno County in 2006.

The design engineering consultant, Mark Thomas, recently finished the 100% design plans, specifications, and estimates.  However, because the Golden State Corridor runs parallel to the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and all intersection side streets associated with the project cross the railroad, UPRR and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) must approve the design plans at all intersections to coordinate signalization and ensure the safety of all railroad crossings. The project team has worked closely with UPRR and the CPUC for over three years on the development of the Golden State project. UPRR and CPUC met on the corridor with the project team three times between May 2018 and December 2020 to conduct field diagnostics and to discuss improvements they thought necessary to the intersections.  However, UPRR and CPUC approval of the 100% design plans will likely not be finalized until July 2021. Construction is currently expected to begin by Spring of 2022.

Final Engineering Phase

This phase of the project will deliver design documents that will facilitate the construction of the planned project.  Having started in late Spring of 2016, it is anticipated that this phase will be completed by the Summer of 2021.

100% Design Plans

City of Fowler Sphere of Influence – PART 1 (Pages 1-59)   PART 2 (Pages 59-142)

City of Selma Sphere of Influence – PART 1 (Pages 1-78)  PART 2 (Pages 79-154)

City of Kingsburg Sphere of Influence – PART 1 (Pages 1-52)   PART 2 (Pages 53-105)

Public Workshops

City of Fowler – Thursday, April 19th, 2018 – Fowler City Council Chambers [For 8th Street businesses]
Sample Invite Letter for Businesses

City of Fowler – Tuesday April 24th, 2018 – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – Fowler Council Chambers
FLYER ENGLISH     FLYER SPANISH

City of Selma – Wednesday April 25th, 2018 – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – Selma Council Chambers
FLYER ENGLISH    FLYER SPANISH

City of Kingsburg – Thursday April 26th, 2018 – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – Kingsburg Council Chambers
FLYER ENGLISH    FLYER SPANISH

If you have any questions, please contact the Fresno COG Project Manager Pankaj Joshi
at 559.233.4148 ext. 202 or joshi@fresnocog.org

Preliminary Planning and Engineering Phase (2010 – 2012)

Work on this initial phase began in the spring of 2010 and completed on April 26, 2012 when the Fresno COG Policy Board adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration environmental document and accepted the studies that were prepared.
Final Mitigated Negative Declaration (CEQA) March 2012
NEPA Status Memo 02-17-12

Environmental Technical Studies (2010 – 2012)

App C – Air Quality  AQIA_8-31-11.pdf
App D – Bio Report  Bio_Report_08-31-11.pdf
App E – Cultural  Cultural_Resources_Report_8-31-11.pdf
App F – Climate Change  Climate_Change_6-29-11.pdf
App G – Noise  Noise_Study_Report_8-31-11.pdf
App H – Traffic  Traffic_Technical_Report_1.pdf

Mitigated Negative Declaration Initial Study