Council approves Caltrans agreement for Highway 65 realignment and roundabout

The Lindsay City Council voted to approve an agreement with Caltrans to update the State Route 65 alignment and to build a roundabout at Oak Avenue and Solari Avenue intended to straighten a dangerous curve and reduce vehicle idling and emissions.

Kirk Haffin, identified as a project manager with Caltrans’ Fresno office, said the project is currently in the design and right‑of‑way phase and that appraisals and property-owner outreach should begin within the next few months. Haffin estimated design and right‑of‑way work to continue into 2027, with construction—described at the meeting as “losing dirt”—expected shortly thereafter. He said utilities and final design details (including lane‑configuration options) are driving the schedule.

Council members and residents raised operational concerns including traffic impacts during construction, whether the roundabout would operate with one or two lanes through the circle, and how the intersection timing at nearby signals would be coordinated. Haffin said the project team plans public outreach during the design phase and offered to return to brief residents on lane geometry, left‑turn design and signal coordination.

The council approved the Caltrans agreement by voice vote (recorded at the meeting as 4–0). Caltrans representatives said funding will include regional and state improvement program funds in addition to local measures; staff noted some federal funding was also being sought for a different signal project. No construction start date was finalized at the meeting.

Next steps: Caltrans will continue right‑of‑way appraisals and property‑owner outreach during the design phase and return to provide more detailed design briefings and public input opportunities as plans are refined.