As my readers know, I've complained for years about the shoddy roadwork on Shaw Avenue where the roadbed collapses after the city does repaving work. My main example is the left-turn lanes on eastbound Shaw turning north on Fresno Street. Those lanes collapsed shortly after they were put in (for $1.2 million), and now resemble a hollowed out wooden boat.
This rippling effect (or rutting) was caused by the original pavement being "fluid," according to the city. This happened on several other parts of Shaw near Fashion Fair. The city didn't have the money to fix it properly. But all that's changed, and the city is now repaving Shaw between Highway 168 and just west of Blackstone Avenue.
City officials promise this will be done right this time. I hope so, and I'll be watching to see if the roadbed collapses again as soon as the weather gets hot. This time the city is spending $1,585,000 on the project.
The work is causing traffic problems on Shaw. I encountered this going to a meeting today at Fresno State. But this temporary inconvenience is a small price to pay for fixing a well-traveled road that is littered with potholes and rippling. Don't use Shaw during the construction period unless you have no other choice. The work will be done soon.
Here is the city's explanation of the project:
"Project scope involves resurfacing the intersections plus approaches for each eastbound and westbound lane, to address the paving that went tender prematurely and led to rutting. There are also northbound and southbound approaches being resurfaced at the Fresno Street, First Street, and Cedar Avenue. In addition, there is other related work -- loop detection, curb lines, striping, etc."
Can you explain why Willow and Shepherd improvement hasn't changed along Pat Rucchitti property. I know it's a county island owned by a single person, which isn't right. The barbed wire is obtrusive and should be removed. Why does he run this city on this corner even if he owns it. It's a shame we can't finish the trail because of his greed he can pay for it!. There is something wrong with this picture. He has a guard at his gate because he opens the barbed wire what is he afraid of?. Dig into this and you will find he is a disgrace to our community! Jim this can be big if some will expose what he really is.
Brian Bobbitt
It is unfortunate that Mr. Boren has chosen to be so selective in his wording that the reader is easily led to believe that the City was responsible for the original workmanship on Shaw Avenue. His statement, "City officials promise this will be done right this time," failed to point out that the original work was performed before the street came into the City's ownership and control.
Thank you for the opportunity to clarify this issue.
Patrick Wiemiller
Public Works Director
City of Fresno
Actually, the left turn lanes at Fresno and Shaw, which collapsed, were put in by the city in the spring of 2005. I have the documentation if Mr. Wiemiller doesn't.
Oh yes. Mr. Boren should remember Mr. Wiemiller's staff blamed Caltrans for the ripplesand not the faulty work by the City's contractor. Something about concrete that slipped. Interesting that that never happened during the repaving projects Caltrans did when Shaw was Route 168.
As for Willow and Shepherd, the Richutti property has an interesting history. When the Rails to Trails project along Shepherd was being developed, the Richuttis blocked the trail crossing the edge of their orchard. At one point, the Richuttis said they would take the fence down if the city gave them a blank check in developing their property.
I try and avoid Shaw at all cost. Too congested. And I've never really paid much attention to irregularities in roads, much less complain about them.
The city can't do anything it's the county. He needs to annexed into the city or eminent domain him. That why he can have barbed wire, not in the city but It's ok in the county. Who does he think he is asking for a blank check! What a disgrace P&R farms is.