Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in the Merced County Times on March 7.
By ROBIN SHEPARD
Times Correspondent
East Fruitland Avenue, between Winton Way and Shaffer Road, was blocked off from traffic this week as work crews began the initial stages of a major reconstruction project that will likely make the mostly unimproved road the most expensive street in Atwater.
At least that’s what Roger Wood believes, and he and many other Fruitland Avenue homeowners have brought other concerns to the city during numerous public hearings over the past year.
The $6.62 million project, approved by the City Council in June 2024, includes three traffic roundabouts and a dozen speed reduction features. It widens the road, necessitates the removal and reconstruction of many driveway approaches, and in Wood’s case, requires a severe pruning of a row of mature orange trees in front of his home.
At least 10 mailboxes have been removed, and local resident Fernando Del Valle, who believes he will lose one of three approaches to his driveway, said of the road design, “We didn’t know it was going to be this close to our house.”
Jocelyn Sandoval is worried enough about the roundabout planned in front of her home that she intends to build a fence to protect her children and pets. “We won’t be able to let the dogs out or let the kids play in the yard.”
Her front lawn has been cut back toward the house, giving an indication of where the roundabout will be located, about 20 feet from her front porch.
Sandoval’s husband doesn’t believe the city adequately informed the residents of the proposed changes. “We’ve seen Mr. (Roger) Wood more than anyone from the city,” Eric Belt said.
The couple questioned the project’s expense and suggested a cheaper method of slowing down traffic.
“Speed bumps would slow everyone down and it’s way cheaper,” Belt said.
Project dollars come from the county’s transportation tax fund Measure V, along with state and federal funding sources.
The mayor and councilmembers received an email from “Concerned Fruitland Ave Residents of Atwater” on Feb. 28 outlining their common concerns expressed in public hearings.
“While we appreciate efforts to improve infrastructure, many of us feel that the current plan is excessive in certain areas and fails to prioritize sections where traffic flow and safety concerns are greatest,” the email states, noting that traffic congestion and pedestrian activity is higher on the west section of Fruitland Avenue in front of Atwater High School.
Further, the group maintains that the city’s self-declared exemption of required review processes under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is unreasonable given the project’s “major road geometry changes.”
This, the email states, “goes beyond what should be reasonably considered ‘minor alterations.’”
Wood is a bit more cynical regarding the project’s design and engineering.
“I believe that the engineering firm who drew up the plans made our road as expensive as possible,” he wrote in a communique to his neighbors.
At least once councilmember has listened to the concerns of Fruitland Avenue residents.
Councilwoman Kalisa Rochester has requested the project be agendized in an upcoming City Council meeting and has recently notified City Manager Chris Hoem.
“Given the duration of this project and the ongoing concerns from residents, it is critical to revisit . . . and explore potential adjustments before further construction continues,” Rochester stated.
As of press time, however, construction is progressing along Fruitland Avenue with no indication from the city of a pause long enough to reconsider the project.