During a recent traffic committee meeting on March 5, 2024, community advocate Ashley Marie Suarez highlighted critical transportation issues affecting South Merced residents. She urged the city council to take immediate action on two pressing concerns: the dangerous intersection at P and 5th Street and the need for transportation improvements along South Canal.

Suarez emphasized the lack of stop signs at the uncontrolled intersection of P and 5th Street, which poses significant risks, especially for school children. Residents have previously raised concerns about visibility issues caused by parked vehicles, making it difficult for drivers to see oncoming traffic. She called for the city to apply for grants to fund necessary traffic calming measures and infrastructure improvements in underserved areas like South Merced.

Additionally, Suarez addressed the South Canal transportation improvements, which were deprioritized by the council despite community advocacy. She criticized the decision to delay funding for these projects, which have been needed for over two decades. Suarez urged the council to prioritize these improvements and seek local, state, and federal funding to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles in the community.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the traffic committee minutes, but the discussions underscored ongoing concerns about transportation safety and infrastructure investment in historically overlooked neighborhoods.