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highway 269

State Route 269 north of Huron is washed out at the Arroyo Pasajero Creek in this photo from the office of Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula.

published on July 3, 2017 - 1:34 PM
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Assemblyman Dr. Joaquin Arambula is praising the California Transportation Commission’s vote to earmark $18 million in state highway funds to tear down and replace a bridge along State Route 269 north of Huron in western Fresno County.

The money will be used to raise the profile of 269 at Arroyo Pasajero Creek and build a new bridge there that will not be flooded over, as the current bridge has been in the past.

The highway is a critical connector for the 7,000 residents and businesses in Huron to Highway 198 to the north and Interstate 5 to the west.

“Since SR 269 became part of the state highway system in 1976, there have been numerous safety issues due to the occasional flooding along the bridge from Arroyo Pasajero Creek,” Arambula said in a press release, noting that these issues have cost the Huron community, on average, about $454,000 per year over 40 years, a total of $18 million.

“The hazardous road and bridge conditions have also caused multiple accidents and fatalities, forcing residents to take a 28-mile detour around the bridge” during flooding, which is a huge economic burden on this community, the release continues.

“The locals have made it a priority to improve the road, and I am pleased I have the opportunity to help get funds dedicated to the project,” said Arambula, who testified before the Transportation Commission before its vote, urging the group to fund the bridge project.

The state highway dollars will be matched by $10 million in local funds.

“Our community has been waiting decades for this bridge to become a reality,” Huron Mayor Rey Leon said in the same press release. “This is a terrific example of how the state and local government can successfully partner to get critical infrastructure built. I am extremely pleased that the state will be dedicating funds to help us prevent more lives lost.”


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