Fresno’s most recent Pavement Condition Index (as of September 2025) rating averaged 60 out of 100, considered “fair,” with nearly one-third of streets rated below that threshold. Photo by Frank Lopez

The city of Fresno has launched a $100 million bond-funded initiative to improve streets across the city.

Mayor Jerry Dyer, Councilmember Annalisa Perea and Council President Mike Karbassi announced the start of Phase 1 of the “Pave More Now” program Wednesday at a press conference on Shields Avenue, just west of Palm Avenue.

Crews have already begun work on the first project along Shields Avenue from Palm to Fruit avenues. That stretch is expected to cost about $700,000, Dyer said.

Phase 1 also includes:

• McKinley Avenue from Peach to Clovis avenues

• Shaw Avenue from Blythe to Valentine avenues

• Cesar Chavez Boulevard from Orange to Cedar avenues

• First Street from Sierra to Cedar avenues

• Los Angeles Street in south downtown Fresno

• Streets in the Floradora neighborhood

The Phase 1 projects are scheduled for completion by November. Additional work will launch next spring, when the paving season begins.

“Fresno residents deserve smooth, safe streets, and Pave More Now delivers exactly that,” Dyer said. “Today’s kickoff marks the start of an unprecedented effort to fix some of our most deteriorated corridors and invest in Fresno’s future.”

Fresno’s most recent Pavement Condition Index rating averaged 60 out of 100, considered “fair,” with nearly one-third of streets rated below that threshold.

Dyer credited Perea and Karbassi with selecting which streets in their districts were included in Phase 1.

Karbassi said residents and businesses have made it “loud and clear” that they are tired of broken sidewalks, potholes and pooling water caused by raised gutters.

“Thanks to the years of discipline and financial management, the city of Fresno has significantly improved its credit worthiness, allowing us to responsibly issue bonds so we could invest in critical infrastructure right now, rather than waiting years while costs continue to rise,” Karbassi said.

He added that construction costs have surged by 65% in recent years.

Perea said her office had received numerous calls from parents and students at Dailey Elementary Charter School, located across from the press conference site, asking for improvements on Shields Avenue.

“As someone who represents neighborhoods that have been often overlooked, I cannot overstate how important today is,” Perea said. “When I talk about equity and city government, this is what I mean — making sure every neighborhood receives its fair share of investment and opportunity.”

Nearby business owner Robin Machado, co-owner of A-Mark T-Shirts on Shields Avenue, welcomed the work.

“Having the road smoother is always better to travel, so it will make it easier access for customers,” Machado said. “It’s progress.”