Construction of High Speed Rail in Fresno will lead to closure of Shaw and Golden State avenues.
The construction of the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) project near Fresno, including the area around the Golden State Highway and Shaw Avenue, is expected to have both short-term impacts and long-term benefits on businesses in that area.
Short-term construction impacts
Construction activities generally cause traffic disruptions, noise, and potential access issues for local businesses located near construction sites. The HSR project has reportedly involved challenges such as hiring workers before land acquisition was completed, reflecting some initial planning and coordination issues.
The large scale of the project means ongoing construction-related disturbances are likely over several years, possibly affecting customer access and delivery logistics for businesses near major intersecting roads like Golden State Highway and Shaw in Fresno.
Long-term impacts and benefits
The HSR is considered a transformative economic opportunity for Fresno. Overall, the project is expected to spur urban regeneration around station areas, reimagining Fresno’s economic landscape by attracting new businesses, residents, and amenities.
High-speed rail stations typically anchor investment in city cores and revitalized downtowns. For example, previous French TGV rail links increased commuter traffic, business relocations, and economic growth in smaller cities, which can serve as a model for Fresno.
The HSR project has already contributed significantly to the local economy by creating around 15,560 jobs and engaging over 930 small businesses statewide, suggesting business opportunities linked to the construction and future operation phases.
Over the long term, better connectivity via high-speed rail could transform Fresno into a dynamic growth hub with increased real estate interest, business expansion, and access to larger markets.
Project timeline and context
While initial plans targeted earlier completion, the high-speed rail segment including Fresco is anticipated to be operational after 2030, with the first tracks being laid in the Central Valley between Merced and Bakersfield starting soon; full completion expected around 2039.
Despite significant cost overruns and delays, construction is underway on extensive infrastructure including bridges and overpasses which will shape the local environment for businesses and commuters alike.
Current construction in Fresno
Construction equipment is being used at the intersection of Golden State Highway and Shaw in Northwest Fresno for the HSR. A small section of Golden State Highway will be closed on Saturday and Sunday as part of the construction process. Shaw will be closed from Blythe to about Forestiere, and a section of the Golden State Highway will remain closed for the next year.
Garth Fernandez, High-Speed Rail Regional Director, stated that the closures are necessary to build a detour or bypass around the construction area. The Shaw Bypass Road will be used by drivers as a detour during construction.
If visiting Forestiere or other businesses in the area over the next few days, it is recommended to leave plenty of extra time and follow posted detour signs. More significant closures are set for late Sunday through late Tuesday.
The construction work at the intersection of Golden State Highway and Shaw is intended to eventually improve the area by making Shaw an overpass. The long-term goal is to make Shaw an overpass in the area, eliminating its intersection with Golden State Highway and the rails.
This work is part of the first 32-mile stretch of high-speed rail between Madera County and Fresno County. Fernandez mentioned that lessons learned from previous delays, such as the seven-year closure of Tulare in Downtown Fresno, are being applied to the current construction.
Forestiere Underground Gardens plans to remain open during the construction. Businesses in the area may experience challenges due to the construction, but the long-term goal of the HSR project is to bring substantial, long-term economic growth and increased business activity as the rail line improves regional connectivity and urban development.
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The ongoing construction in Fresno, particularly around the Golden State Highway and Shaw Avenue, is likely to create temporary challenges for local businesses, such as traffic disruptions, noise, and potential access issues during the next year due to the closure of sections of these roads.
With the anticipated completion of the California High-Speed Rail project after 2030, the long-term benefits for Fresno include urban regeneration, attracting new businesses, residents, and amenities, and transforming Fresno into a dynamic growth hub with increased real estate interest, business expansion, and access to larger markets. This is supported by the previous success of high-speed rail links in smaller cities, which stimulated commuter traffic, business relocations, and economic growth.
