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La Colonia near Shafter gets nearly a mile of sidewalks in Kern County public works project
Summary
Kern County Public Works and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District completed the La Colonia sidewalk project, funded through California Climate Investments and AB 617, adding nearly a mile of sidewalks, curbs and gutters to improve safety and reduce short trips.
Erin Briscoe Clark, host of Around Kern County, reported that Kern County Public Works, in partnership with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, marked the completion of the La Colonia sidewalk project near Shafter.
The program said the project, funded through California Climate Investments and AB 617, added nearly a mile of sidewalks, curbs and gutters to improve access and safety throughout the neighborhood and to reduce short car trips that affect air quality. "It's a big difference," a program narrator said when showing before-and-after conditions.
For resident Lupe Velarde, who grew up in the neighborhood, the changes are personal. Velarde said, "I actually grew up here in the in the Mexican colony. So seeing all of these changes and improvements and the collaboration between all of the organizations is really amazing." The program noted she worked in nearby fields and raised her family in the unincorporated community.
The episode framed the sidewalks as both a safety and quality-of-life improvement for families who have lived in La Colonia for generations. The host encouraged viewers to see more county videos on Kern County’s official YouTube channel.
No formal vote or approval was reported on-air for the project; the program described it as a completed public-works improvement and included funding sources.
