group of six smiling individuals standing outdoors in front of a glass-fronted building. They are wearing matching navy blue t-shirts that read "Better Roads. Safe Streets. Moving Forward Together." They are standing in front of a stack of several cardboard Banker boxes.

Why Fresno BHC Supports Better Roads Safe Streets

/April 21, 2026/inTransportation

For 40 years, our community has waited for a transportation system that reflects the ways that working families live and move in Fresno County.

We have endured the cracked or missing sidewalks, the long, hot waits for a bus that comes once an hour, and the dangerous crossings that our children face every morning on their way to school.

At Fresno Building Healthy Communities, we believe that where you live should not determine how long you live, and it certainly shouldn’t determine whether you can safely get to work, school, or the grocery store. That is why we are standing firmly behind the Better Roads, Safe Streets campaign.

Here is a deep dive into why this plan is the transformative roadmap Fresno County needs and deserves.

A Plan Built by the People

Previous versions of Measure C were often crafted in rooms that didn’t include the voices of everyday residents. The 2022 attempt failed because it prioritized highway expansion over neighborhood safety. Taking those lessons to heart, a coalition of community members, labor unions, and advocates spent the last two years listening.

The result is a “bottom-up” plan. Instead of pouring billions into new highways that only encourage more traffic, this plan focuses on “Fix It First.” It allocates a massive 65% of the $7.4 billion revenue directly to local neighborhood street repairs. This means every city and unincorporated community in Fresno County will finally have the funds to reach a “Good Condition” rating on their roads.

Image Gallery

Better Roads, Safe Streets Signature Delivery Press Conference

Browse the gallery below to view images.

A group of seven people sitting together on a low brick wall outdoors, smiling for a group photo. They are wearing matching navy blue campaign t-shirts that read "Better Roads. Safe Streets. Moving Forward Together." Behind them is a parked white U-Haul moving truck featuring a large graphic of mushrooms on its side panel.
A group of seven people sitting together on a low brick wall outdoors, smiling for a group photo. They are wearing matching navy blue campaign t-shirts that read "Better Roads. Safe Streets. Moving Forward Together." Behind them is a parked white U-Haul moving truck featuring a large graphic of mushrooms on its side panel.
A group of seven people sitting together on a low brick wall outdoors, smiling for a group photo. They are wearing matching navy blue campaign t-shirts that read "Better Roads. Safe Streets. Moving Forward Together." Behind them is a parked white U-Haul moving truck featuring a large graphic of mushrooms on its side panel.
A young woman and a young man, both wearing the campaign t-shirts, are happily carrying a cardboard Bankers Box together. They are walking down a sunny sidewalk through a gauntlet of supporters who are clapping, cheering, and raising their hands to celebrate.
A young woman and a young man, both wearing the campaign t-shirts, are happily carrying a cardboard Bankers Box together. They are walking down a sunny sidewalk through a gauntlet of supporters who are clapping, cheering, and raising their hands to celebrate.
Three women wearing matching navy "Better Roads. Safe Streets." t-shirts walking through a crowd. They are carrying a cardboard Bankers Box and raising their free hands in celebration while the people around them clap and cheer.
Three women wearing matching navy "Better Roads. Safe Streets." t-shirts walking through a crowd. They are carrying a cardboard Bankers Box and raising their free hands in celebration while the people around them clap and cheer.
Two women standing together in a crowd. One is wearing a denim jacket and smiling while holding a dark blue campaign sign with Spanish text: "Mejores Carreteras. Calles Seguras. Una iniciativa ciudadana para un mejor condado de Fresno."
Two women standing together in a crowd. One is wearing a denim jacket and smiling while holding a dark blue campaign sign with Spanish text: "Mejores Carreteras. Calles Seguras. Una iniciativa ciudadana para un mejor condado de Fresno."
A diverse group of supporters holding up campaign signs. A bright green sign reading "Strong Accountability & Transparency" is highly visible, held next to an orange "Safe Routes To Schools" sign. A man wearing a black turban is visible in the center of the crowd.
A diverse group of supporters holding up campaign signs. A bright green sign reading "Strong Accountability & Transparency" is highly visible, held next to an orange "Safe Routes To Schools" sign. A man wearing a black turban is visible in the center of the crowd.
A crowd of people outdoors holding up campaign signs. Prominently featured in the center is an orange sign that reads "Safe Routes To Schools" alongside a partial view of a green sign mentioning "Strong Accountability."
A crowd of people outdoors holding up campaign signs. Prominently featured in the center is an orange sign that reads "Safe Routes To Schools" alongside a partial view of a green sign mentioning "Strong Accountability."
A close-up of a crowd where an older person with gray hair and sunglasses is holding up a bright orange sign. The sign reads "Better Roads. Safe Streets." at the top and "Create Local Jobs" in large white letters.
A close-up of a crowd where an older person with gray hair and sunglasses is holding up a bright orange sign. The sign reads "Better Roads. Safe Streets." at the top and "Create Local Jobs" in large white letters.
An older man with a mustache, wearing a blue suit and a patterned blue tie, speaking at the campaign podium. The woman in the plaid blazer and other supporters stand behind him listening.
An older man with a mustache, wearing a blue suit and a patterned blue tie, speaking at the campaign podium. The woman in the plaid blazer and other supporters stand behind him listening.
A woman wearing a plaid blazer over a navy campaign t-shirt speaking at the "Better Roads. Safe Streets." podium. She is surrounded by the same crowd of supporters and campaign members, who are watching her speak.
A woman wearing a plaid blazer over a navy campaign t-shirt speaking at the "Better Roads. Safe Streets." podium. She is surrounded by the same crowd of supporters and campaign members, who are watching her speak.
A young woman with braces speaking into microphones at a clear podium. The podium has a sign reading "Better Roads. Safe Streets. A Citizen-Led Effort." She is surrounded by a large, supportive crowd of diverse individuals holding campaign signs, some wearing campaign t-shirts and others in business attire.
A young woman with braces speaking into microphones at a clear podium. The podium has a sign reading "Better Roads. Safe Streets. A Citizen-Led Effort." She is surrounded by a large, supportive crowd of diverse individuals holding campaign signs, some wearing campaign t-shirts and others in business attire.

Public Safety

For a long time, Fresno has ranked as one of the most dangerous places in the country for pedestrians. This plan treats that as the emergency it is.

The Better Roads, Safe Streets plan commits to completing 150 Safe Routes to School projects. We are talking about the basic infrastructure that many neighborhoods have been denied for decades:

  • New Sidewalks: Filling the gaps so children don’t have to walk in the dirt or in traffic.
  • Enhanced Crosswalks: High-visibility paint and lighting that make pedestrians visible to drivers.
  • Traffic Calming: Using advanced technology to manage flow and reduce speeding in residential areas.

These changes will make it safe for a child to walk to school. They will also make it safe for a senior to walk to the park and for a worker to walk to the bus stop.

Transit Equity

Public transit is the backbone of economic mobility. If the bus doesn’t run on time (or doesn’t run at all) people can’t keep jobs or stay healthy. This plan allocates 25% ($1.8 billion) to public transportation. It introduces zero-fare transit for students, seniors (62+), veterans, and people with disabilities. This removes a significant financial barrier to education and healthcare.

The plan also funds “Bus Rapid Transit” features that help buses move through traffic faster and ensures more frequent service, so you spend less time waiting in the sun or the rain. For those moments when you do wait for your ride, this plan includes investments in shade structures and seating at bus stops, which are essential in our Fresno summers.

By making the bus a viable, fast, and free option for so many, we are reducing the congestion on the road and providing cleaner air for our children to breathe.

Environmental Justice and Innovation

We know that Fresno County suffers from some of the worst air quality in the nation. This plan acknowledges that we cannot build our way out of the climate crisis with more asphalt.

By dedicating 4% ($295 million) to Access and Innovation, we are investing in clean energy transit and electric vehicle infrastructure. More importantly, the plan’s emphasis on the 120 miles of new bike and pedestrian trails means we are building a county where active transportation is a realistic choice. This is how we combat the high rates of asthma and heart disease in our community, by building an environment that encourages movement and reduces pollution.

Accountability & Transparency

With any plan, there will always be skepticism:

“How do we know the money will actually go to my neighborhood?”

That’s why this plan is built on a foundation of transparency. Unlike past versions, it mandates an Independent Citizen Oversight Committee, which means every penny must be accounted for.

A digital database will allow residents to look up their zip code and see exactly which projects are being funded and their status. Only 1% of the funds can be used for administrative costs, ensuring the money stays focused on improving our streets.

The Economic Engine

This plan is a massive job creator. By investing $7.4 billion locally over 30 years, we are securing thousands of high-paying, local jobs. Because these projects are focused on local roads and local transit, the money stays in our local economy, supporting small businesses and Fresno families.

Legacy for Our Children

When we look back 30 years from now, what do we want Fresno County to look like? Do we want more sprawl, smog, and unsafe streets? Or do we want a community where neighborhoods are connected, where our air is breathable, and where every resident, regardless of their income, has the freedom to move safely?

The Better Roads, Safe Streets plan is a promise to the next generation that we value their safety and their future. It is a plan that recognizes that when we invest in the “worst roads first,” we are lifting up the people who have been left behind for the longest.

This November, we have the power to change the map of Fresno County forever. We are proud to stand with the citizen-led effort to create a future where every road is a better road, and where every street is a safe street.

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