Murray Avenue road work starts; here's what motorists can expect heading into downtown Visalia

Sheyanne N Romero, Visalia Times-Delta
·2 min read
Xavier Cuellar of Safety Network places signs Tuesday, May 17, 2022, for the Battery Backup System & Traffic Signal Preemption Project on Murray Avenue between Encina and Giddings streets.
Xavier Cuellar of Safety Network places signs Tuesday, May 17, 2022, for the Battery Backup System & Traffic Signal Preemption Project on Murray Avenue between Encina and Giddings streets.

Residents living and working in central Visalia will need to plan for traffic delays caused by roadway improvements in the coming weeks.

Bright orange signage has been posted along Murray Avenue between Dudley and Encina streets preparing drivers for road work scheduled to begin Thursday.

Murray is a well-traveled route to Redwood High School, Visalia Rawhide, Visalia Public Cemetery, and downtown.

The Major Street Rehabilitation Project, which was passed by voters in 2017, will include grinding off the existing asphalt, proof rolling the aggregate base, and overlaying with asphalt to include a paving mat. The project also includes the upgrade of some existing curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

The Battery Backup System & Traffic Signal Preemption Project on Murray Avenue between Encina and Giddings streets will begin Thursday, May 19. The roadway may be limited or closed until completion.
The Battery Backup System & Traffic Signal Preemption Project on Murray Avenue between Encina and Giddings streets will begin Thursday, May 19. The roadway may be limited or closed until completion.

“Crews will begin demolition of the existing curb ramps starting Thursday,” Visalia Civil Engineer Chantha Chap said. “Once all the concrete work is complete, construction of the roadway will immediately follow. We anticipate that work to start Thursday, June 9, when school is out for summer recess.”

Although road closures aren't expected during this phase of the project, traffic delays caused by lane restrictions are expected. Eastbound and westbound Murray will remain open for this phase of work, but drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes.

Road closures are anticipated in early June for roughly a week, when construction of the roadway begins. Informational flyers will be handed out this week to homes and businesses in the immediate construction area to detail the activities and impacts to traffic, according to city officials.

“Businesses and homes in the area will be allowed access at all times with minor exceptions,” Chap said. “We’ll work to complete the project as quickly as possible to minimize the impacts and inconveniences to the public.”

For more information, call Chantha Chap at 713-4418 or send an email to chantha.chap@visalia.city.

Sheyanne Romero is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network and manages content for the Salinas Californian. 

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Murray Avenue road work starts in central Visalia