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City hears final design briefing on Gear Road rehabilitation, project to start in 2026
Summary
City staff and Mark Thomas & Company presented final design elements for Gear Road: targeted end‑of‑year completion of environmental and final design, construction in 2026 with three packages, resurfacing and reconstruction where pavement is worst, ADA sidewalk infill, buffered bike lanes and removal of some on‑street parking near Stanislaus State.
City planning and engineering staff presented the final design and environmental status for the Gear Road Rehabilitation Project, an arterial corridor project running north–south from central Turlock to Taylor Road.
Ed Noriega (Mark Thomas & Company) outlined objectives: fix failing pavement (resurface most segments, reconstruct worst mid‑corridor sections), close sidewalk gaps and make curb ramps ADA‑compliant, add buffered bike lanes in line with the city's Active Transportation Plan, convert loop detection at signals to cameras, install rapid flashing beacons at three uncontrolled crosswalks, and extend left‑turn pockets to improve stacking. The project design will be completed by the end of the year to allow construction to begin in 2026.
To reduce public impact, staff proposed three construction packages (Golden State to Hawkeye; Hawkeye to Monte Vista; others), staged block‑by‑block work to maintain one lane each direction, and active driveway access management in commercial areas. Noriega said north end pavement is generally good and only middle sections require full reconstruction.
Funding: staff said Measure A funds and a Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) of about $4,800,000 have been secured; the city is seeking an additional $2,000,000 pending notification. Construction scheduling aims to avoid nighttime work and minimize noise; asphalt temperature constraints and safety were cited as reasons to limit night paving.
Council questions focused on beacon types, parking loss near the university and coordination with PG&E and other utilities. Staff noted on‑street parking near Stanislaus State would be removed where bike lanes are installed, and recommended overhead rapid flashing beacons on this multi‑lane arterial.
