Caltrans project on Yosemite Avenue to begin May 15; downtown parking and access expected to be affected

City engineering staff updated the council on Feb. 18 about a Caltrans capital preventative‑maintenance project on State Route 145 (Yosemite Avenue) set to begin May 15. The work covers rehabilitation from Pecan Avenue to Story Road, with the portion highlighted for Madera between East and Lake streets. Proposed improvements include a road diet (lane reductions), bike lanes, bus stops, roundabouts, bulb‑outs, enhanced crosswalks, medians, new lighting and rapid‑flashing beacons.

Director of Engineering said Caltrans and the city have conducted outreach, including multiple meetings with the downtown association and a public meeting at an adult day care center. Mitigation commitments cited in earlier correspondence include portable changeable message signs placed 10–15 days before lane or side‑street closures, maintaining at least one lane in each direction during work, night work for many activities, and rerouting heavy truck traffic away from Yosemite.

Staff warned downtown businesses to expect the loss of up to 44 parking spaces under the fully completed project, potentially increasing to about 50 with railroad‑related work. The city identified alternative parking areas with roughly 180 spaces available to direct customers. Council members asked for maps and public information; staff agreed to prepare materials showing parking locations and general alternate routes to ease business access during construction. Construction timing remains subject to Caltrans scheduling and coordination with the city's related water‑line work.