The California High-Speed Rail Authority, along with local and state leaders, celebrated the completion of the Tulare Street Grade Separation project with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Fresno’s Chinatown on Thursday, July 31, 2025. HSR photo

Traffic in the Downtown Fresno will be a bit smoother with the completion of a portion related to the California high-speed rail project.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority, along with local and state leaders, celebrated the completion of the Tulare Street Grade Separation project with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Fresno’s Chinatown on Thursday.

The separation is located between G and H streets, near the future site of the California high-speed rail station. It reconnects Fresno’s Chinatown and downtown, improving safety and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and unhealthy pollutants, according to an Authority news release.

“The project is a result of years of planning, overcoming several unexpected challenges, healthy interagency partnerships and a steadfast commitment to delivering infrastructure that improves lives,” said Authority Central Valley Regional Director Garth Fernandez.

Construction work for the project was done by to Tutor-Perini/ Zachry/Parsons of Fresno.

The separation now takes vehicular traffic more than 20 feet below the Union Pacific and future high-speed rail tracks, serving as a two-lane roadway spanning more than 1,000-feet long and 60-feet wide, with pedestrian access and bike lanes for residents and bicyclists.

The Authority recently opened Belmont Avenue to traffic and pedestrians near Golden State Boulevard with the completion of the Central Avenue Grade Separation in Fresno.

Work on the high-speed rail continues, with 171 miles currently under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield.

Construction is also underway for the McKinley Avenue and Golden State Boulevard Grade Separation project located between Highway 99 and West Avenue in Fresno.

The McKinley Avenue and Golden State Boulevard Grade Separation overpass will be 402 feet long and be more than 78 feet wide. The grade separation will serve as a four-lane roadway and will improve safety for drivers, bicyclists and residents near the future high-speed rail tracks and existing tracks.