What to know about Blackstone Avenue’s massive makeover— new bike lanes, wider sidewalks
A $7.3 million state grant-funded “road diet” is underway on southern Blackstone Avenue in Fresno, reducing car lanes from three to two each way to make room for bike lanes, wider sidewalks and elevated bus platforms.
While city officials and council members praise the effort as a long-overdue safety and revitalization measure, some business owners and developers have raised concerns about potential traffic backups and negative impacts on merchants.
FULL STORY: Blackstone makeover in Fresno includes wider sidewalks, bike lanes - fewer car lanes
Here are the key takeaways
- Construction timeline: Construction began June 8 on Blackstone Avenue from Pine Avenue to State Route 180, and on Abby Street from Olive to Highway 180, with completion expected in early October.
- About the corridor: Blackstone Avenue was once the original alignment for California State Route 41 before being bypassed by the Yosemite Freeway. The southern stretch has long been a hub for car dealerships and auto parts stores and is home to several restaurants and retailers. It also has the busiest bus route in Fresno County.
- Revitalization strategy: The project is part of the city’s Southern Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Strategy, approved in 2019, to transform the corridor into a walkable, high-density residential neighborhood.
- Pedestrian safety: Southern Blackstone saw 20 pedestrian fatalities between 2008 and 2022, making it one of the deadliest streets for walkers in Fresno, which was ranked the seventh most dangerous city in the country for walking and biking.
- Additional improvements: Plans also include reducing the speed limit from 40 to 30 mph, planting street trees, adding landscaping and installing decorative lighting.
- Future phases: The project will be completed in three phases; phases two and three, between McKinley and Dakota avenues, are slated to go out to bid and begin construction in 2027. There is no proposal to reduce any travel lanes north of Dakota Avenue.
- Traffic control: Multiple phases of traffic control are planned, including single-lane restrictions in June and double-lane restrictions in July. Select intersection closures can be expected on some Sunday nights, with construction crews eventually operating 24 hours a day.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence based on our own originally reported, written and published content. Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.
This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 7:17 AM.