A Historic Step Forward For Fresno County’s Transportation Future

A Historic Step Forward For Fresno County’s Transportation Future

On November 20, the Fresno COG Policy Board voted to approve the recommended Measure C priorities and allocations, affirming what Fresno County residents have been saying for months: we need safer streets, better public transit, and a transparent, accountable transportation system that works for everyone.

For the past several months, parents, grandparents, students, workers, and community leaders have attended public meetings, joined community sessions, asked hard questions, and demanded that Measure C reflect the real needs of taxpayers. Their priorities were clear and consistent. Fix neighborhood roads, invest in reliable public transportation, improve safety for walkers, bikers, and children on their way to school, and ensure that all tax dollars are handled with transparency and accountability.

Those priorities were confirmed by a statistically valid poll of more than 1,600 likely voters conducted across Fresno County. More than 70% of voters said they would support a transportation measure if it focused on repairing local roads, improving safety, protecting transit for vulnerable riders, ensuring fair funding, and building a process people can trust.

When the Measure C Steering Committee reviewed all the public input, polling, and technical analysis, they overwhelmingly approved the High-Priorities Allocations with a 93% YES vote.

That recommendation includes:

65% for Existing Neighborhood Roads

A dramatic increase over previous allocations, dedicated to repairing streets in the worst condition, filling potholes, improving safety, and guaranteeing that every city, large or small, receives a fair share of funding. It includes a new $400,000 minimum annual funding floor for rural cities, ensuring that smaller jurisdictions can fix their local streets. This category also includes allocations for active transportation, allowing cities to build and maintain needed bike lanes and walking trails.

25% for Public Transportation

Funding to strengthen the entire transit system, support expanded service, improve coordination among providers, protect rural micro transit, and keep fares affordable for seniors, students, veterans, and people with disabilities.

5% for Regional Connectivity

Funding for larger regional projects, including a dedicated portion for Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

Traffic congestion with diesel trucks and cars on California freeway highlighting pollution impacts in South Fresno

4% for Transportation Innovation

Investments in zero-emission infrastructure, communication upgrades like real-time information systems, and multi-modal hubs that help Fresno County transition into a cleaner, more connected future.

1% for Administration

Strictly focused on oversight, audits, transparency, and 10-year public review cycles, which was another top priority identified by taxpayers.

Now, with the Policy Board’s approval, these allocations will become the blueprint that will guide the next phase of Measure C. It is a reminder that when residents organize, speak up, and stay engaged, their voices can move policy at the highest levels. It is also a testament to the elected officials who were willing to listen, who respected the process, and who supported a vision built from thousands of local voices.

We want to acknowledge and thank those leaders. Their vote shows a commitment to the people they serve and to the transportation future taxpayers want and deserve.

But while this moment deserves celebration, the work is far from over. The next crucial step is refining and adopting the Implementing Guidelines.

These guidelines determine how money is spent, which projects are prioritized, how outcomes are measured, and how the public will track progress over the next 30 years. We will continue to show up for every discussion, every draft, and every decision. And we can’t do it without you.

If you want to join us in the fight for a safer, fairer, better transportation future, visit transportationforall.com and sign up for newsletters, updates, and more.