Tulare County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulare County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Caldwell 99 interchange groundbreaking
Caltrans' interchange project is now expected to start in October 2026 and take about three years, affecting the Sequoia Gateway commercial area. Value engineering may shorten the northbound off-ramp closure to as little as a month instead of the full construction period.
Highway Safety Improvement Program Grant Applications
Supervisor Micari issued a blunt public safety warning about speeding and collisions on Highway 190, urging drivers to slow down and supporting CHP motor enforcement.
Three Rivers road acceptance
The board vacated unused Canyon Drive and Quail Run Drive rights-of-way in South Fork Estates Unit 2, a subdivision approved in 1985 whose third unit was never built. Owners must consolidate lots and prove legal, physically viable access by December 31, 2029. A property owner described a private fire-access road to the cemetery as an escape route.
Countywide road completions and slurry seal
The board formally accepted five finished road and bridge projects and launched the 2026 Slurry Seal Program to resurface streets at locations across the county, plus a new stop sign near Dinuba.
Mineral King Road & Wishon Drive Permanent Restoration Bid Dispute
The board split over whether to waive a paperwork error by low bidder Rehak Construction, whose bid was $115,000 below the next bidder. After one failed vote, the contract went to Rehak for $317,001.62, with repairs to be reimbursed at 88% by the federal emergency relief program.
Regional Transit Agency Turnaround
The Board authorized over $10.8 million in Transportation Development Act claims for regional transit and county streets and roads in fiscal year 2025-26.
Road Conditions in Pixley, Matheny Tract and Tuleville
Residents described pothole-ridden, unpainted roads in Pixley where a man fell and was injured, poor pavement in Matheny Tract, and speeding and gravel hazards near Tuleville's school bus stop — asking for Measure R dollars to be directed to their communities.
Sequoia Gateway Drive Phase 2 road project
A $1.03 million contract was awarded to build the Sequoia Gateway Drive Phase 2 road improvements west of Visalia, fully funded by Measure R sales tax money and timed with Caltrans' upcoming realignment of the Caldwell/Avenue 280 interchange.
Active Transportation Program grants for Cutler-Orosi, Earlimart, and Strathmore
The county will apply for state grants worth about $49.4 million in projects to make walking and biking safer in three rural communities.
2025 Road Repair and Accountability Act Project 2
The board wrapped up the Avenue 336 railroad crossing in Ivanhoe, funded the White River bridge near Fountain Springs, and awarded an $859,000 accessibility construction contract at sites countywide.
Avenue 280 Widening Project right-of-way
The county paid $266,270 to acquire right-of-way from Kevin Clements for the Avenue 280 widening project between Visalia and Farmersville.
New Stop Sign at Road 36 and Avenue 408
Drivers near Dinuba will see a new one-way stop at Road 36 and Avenue 408, approved as a safety measure and exempt from CEQA review.
Road conditions in Tonyville construction zone
Supervisor Micari reported residents in Tonyville are dealing with badly damaged roads during a Lindsey Strathcont District contractor's water meter installation, with cars driving in oncoming lanes to avoid the mess. He warned the county may pull the contractor's bond if paving doesn't resume as promised.