Fresno County roads can get repaired with federal money, but only with Measure C’s help

The recently passed $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill includes a host of transportation programs funded over five years, which would be a boon to Fresno County residents, assuming we’re able to access the funding.

For example, the bill includes 17 new road-related programs ranging from “active transportation” options, such as bicycle paths and new walkways, to new grants carved out strictly for rural roadways.

The catch is that of those 17 new programs, 13 are “discretionary,” meaning local government agencies will have to apply and compete on a national basis and hope they receive a grant. On top of that, most if not all of them will likely require local matching funds — the more the better — to boost their chances of winning an award.

The Fresno County region may be able to successfully capture $1 billion among its myriad projects — highways, roads, public transit, electric vehicle infrastructure, active transportation and airports.

Unfortunately, because so many of the new federal bill’s programs are discretionary, there’s no way to guarantee that our region will receive its fair share. If history has taught us anything, it’s that Measure C significantly increases our chances.

Measure C, our local transportation funding, has generated well over $1 billion in its nearly 40 years to produce our robust highway and freeway network, provide tens of millions in funding for public transit, bike paths, trails, carpool and vanpool incentives and our Senior Scrip program that provides subsidized taxi, Uber and Lyft rides to our over-70 population.

Still, in all the polling, surveys, media coverage and conversations I’ve personally had about what a renewed Measure C might look like, one point has been abundantly clear: local street and road maintenance is the No. 1 transportation issue on people’s minds.

That’s with good reason.

Engineers estimate that Fresno’s countywide average road condition is at 57 out of a possible 100, which is just above the “poor” ranking. This means our vast local network of streets and roads are showing definite signs of wear-and-tear, including significant cracks, potholes and pavement ruts. Drivers and cyclists know all too well the poor pavement conditions on their daily commutes.

Our score falls behind the statewide average of 66, as do several other San Joaquin Valley counties, including Kern, Tulare and Merced.

This situation is only projected to get worse as time goes on, largely due to the nature of rapidly rising costs as pavement deteriorates, and the huge backlog of needed repairs increases.

Roads with a score of 70 or higher are less expensive to repair and maintain, with minor overlays or seal coats needed occasionally. Costs jump significantly to repair a road in only “fair” condition, with a score between 70 and 50.

Worse, when a road deteriorates to “poor” condition (think alligator scales), the cost doubles or triples for a complete rebuild, where crews must dig down to the dirt bed.

That’s why it’s so important to renew Measure C: our local source of funding to ensure we have the ability to generate millions in additional matching funds for our entire transportation network, including street and road repairs and maintenance — and ensure this work is done in a timely and cost-effective way.

For example, if Measure C were to end as scheduled now in 2027, our road score would gradually drop from 57 today to 49 by 2047.

Something else to keep in mind: The new federal bill does include funds for neighborhood streets. Measure C will be absolutely essential to help address all of our street repair needs.

With a renewed Measure C we have the opportunity to not just keep our roads from falling apart, but to actually start improving the entire road system.

Nevertheless, our roads stand as the basis for all of our transportation options. The only certainty in the Measure C process is that we’ll need to invest more to keep our residents and goods moving efficiently.