Repaving and rehabilitating miles of roads in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Take a drive down nearly any Fresno street, and you're likely to hit a pothole or rough patch. Maybe more than one.

The city says a plan is in motion to repave and rehabilitate several miles of roads across Fresno.

"Neighbors in Fresno want their roads fixed, and that's what we're going to provide," said Mayor Jerry Dyer. "But it's been years, in some cases, decades, of neglect."

It's no secret that roads deteriorate over time. In Fresno, the backlog is substantial, with an estimated $1.2 billion in deferred street maintenance.

"When you pave a new road, its score is 100. Over time, that score drops. We have many roads in Fresno that are in the 20s, some even below 20," Dyer said.

To address the issue, the city is launching its largest paving season yet, with nearly 30 projects and an investment of $34 million.

"We have different funding sources," Dyer explained. "Measure C at the local level, our $100 million bond, and SB1 funding from the state, which comes from the gas tax."

Crews have already started work on streets like Cesar Chavez Boulevard, McKinley Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, among others.

Brian Russell, assistant director of Fresno Public Works, said planning each detail is a complex process, but crews are moving as quickly, strategically and safely as possible.

"So far, we've planned more than 49 miles of work for 2025," Russell said. "That's a substantial dent in the problem."

Mayor Dyer emphasized that work is happening in every Fresno district.

"The earlier we address this, the better off we'll be," he said.

Russell also encouraged residents to report potholes using the 311 app, which helps the city prioritize repairs.

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