This rendering of an overpass by Fresno City College is seen from the northeast corner of the intersection of Blackstone and McKinley avenues.

On Thursday Mayor Jerry Dyer announced that the City of Fresno has been awarded $80 million in state funding for the construction phase of the Blackstone McKinley BNSF Grade Separation Project.

The award to the city was announced by Gov. Newsom’s office and the California State Transportation Agency, with part of the funding provided by the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.

Of the total $350 million awarded across the state for grade crossing improvement and separation projects, Fresno’s $80 million award was the largest.

This funding for 2025-2026 will ensure that the project can now move forward to construction, enabling local Measure C dollars to fully fund final engineering design, right-of-way acquisition and utility relocations, according to a City of Fresno news release.

The Blackstone and McKinley avenue corridor is a primary route for the community, the Fresno Area Express (FAX) Bus Rapid Transit system and emergency vehicles, according to the release.

 “Blackstone Avenue has been an integral part of Fresno’s past, and it’s even more important for our future. That’s why we need to get this right,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer. “This award will help us create a safe, efficient, and beautiful corridor in one of Fresno’s busiest areas. It also proves that we’re not the only ones who believe in Fresno – our friends at the state level do too.”

The location has experienced the highest traffic volumes and number of accidents of any at-grade crossing on the BNSF corridor.

The project will eliminate two existing at-grade crossings by grade separating North Blackstone Avenue and East McKinley Avenue under the BNSF Mainline Track.

The grade-separation project will improve safety for drivers and pedestrians, relieve congestion, improve air quality, eliminate train delays for transit passengers on the FAX bus line for Fresno City College students, and allow for continued revitalization of the Blackstone corridor with much-needed housing and mixed-use developments, according to the release.

“With the Governor’s Office funding, we have a transformative opportunity to reshape our transportation landscape,” said Council Vice President Annalisa Perea. “The availability of funds for the railroad grade separation is a pivotal moment for our community.