The Corridors

Academy Avenue serves as the primary north-south transportation corridor stretching approximately 27 miles on the eastside of Fresno County starting at the south end at SR 99 in the Kingsburg, then passing through Parlier at Academy Avenue, and then through Sanger ending at SR 168 northeast of Clovis.

Manning Avenue serves as the primary east-west transportation corridor running approximately 24 miles on the eastside of Fresno County starting to the west at SR 99 between Fowler and Selma, through the City of Parlier at Academy Avenue, on through to Reedley and ending at Hill Valley Road/County border in the City of Orange Cove.

Each of the corridors serves multiple transportation purposes, often functioning as farm-to-market routes for large agricultural interests, commuter routes and connecting the nine incorporated cities that are located in the study area. In addition, Academy Avenue is often used by visitors and tourists travelling from the south as a more direct access to the National Parks and recreational opportunities available on the eastside of Fresno County, allowing motorists to avoid the urban freeways of the Fresno-Clovis metropolitan area. 

Geography and the Region

Eastside Fresno County is defined as the geographic area east of State Route 99 in Fresno County for purposes of this study (see Figure 1). This includes the cities of Kingsburg, Selma, Fowler, Parlier, Reedley, Orange Cove, Sanger and Clovis, in addition to the unincorporated areas of the County.

Project Need

The eastern portion of Fresno County is currently home to approximately 240,931 residents. Most of the residents live in the eight cities (Kingsburg, Selma, Fowler, Parlier, Reedley, Orange Cove, Sanger and Clovis) located in the study area, but another 1,639 also live in the unincorporated areas. Based on Fresno COG’s population forecast, by 2050 the total population of the study area will grow to approximately 345,180. The combination of population growth in the cities and the unincorporated communities, along with increasing agricultural related commerce, specifically goods movement, will result in increased traffic and significant safety concerns and has generated a need for the Fresno Council of Governments to conduct this study.

Project Purpose

The study’s purpose is to provide recommendations for specific transportation improvements that will meet the long-term mobility needs of the area. The study is to address the following issues: mobility, access, safety, and connectivity for all modes of travel including transit, walking, and bicycling, along with any issues identified by the public and steering committee as we are conducting the study. Our analysis will also examine land uses along the identified corridors and provide recommendations on what changes or modifications could be made by the land use agencies to facilitate mobility and other transportation purposes. Ultimately, the transportation projects identified in the study will serve as projects for future funding opportunities.

Comment on Report