Caruthers Complete Streets

Caruthers is a rural, unincorporated community with a population of approximately 2,000 and is located 15 miles south of the City of Fresno in Fresno County.  The community is considered a disadvantaged based on median household income and because the census tract scores in the 83rd percentile in CalEnviroScreen 4.0. 

There is one elementary school and one high school in Caruthers.  The elementary school serves 883 students in grades K-8, and the high school serves 697 students in grades 9-12.  A main attraction in the community is the Caruthers District Fair, California’s largest and longest-running free gate fair held in the fall for the last 100 years.  Featured attractions include food booths, carnival rides, a parade, baking and crafts contests, and livestock exhibits sponsored by local Future Farmers of America and 4H youth groups.  Although Caruthers is a community of only 2,000, tens of thousands descend upon the town to attend the fair each year.  The fairgrounds also frequently serves as a key destination for activities hosted by the local schools and community groups.

Most of the community lacks sidewalks and proper drainage making it difficult for pedestrians to navigate a safe path of travel during inclement weather.  Several of the roadways are in disrepair and in need of improvements.  Between 2012 and 2022 there were 36 crashes involving 60 victims reported in the Caruthers community, 1 of which was fatal and 2 involved severe injuries.  Five of the crashes involved pedestrians, at least one of which was walking in the road where sidewalks were absent.  21 of the crash victims were ages 19 or younger, 6 of which were under the age of 5. 

The project would construct sidewalks with curb & gutter and make roadway repairs in various locations in the community.   Making the proposed improvements would make it easier and safer for both pedestrians and drivers to travel to and from work, school, medical appointments, fairgrounds events, and would also make it easier for businesses to deliver goods and services.

In Cycle 2 of the Carbon Reduction Program in the Fall of 2024, the project was awarded Preliminary Engineering and Right-of-way funding totaling $676,256. The Department will continue to seek funding for the Construction phase of the project.

 

Preliminary Plans(PDF, 7MB)

Photos of Existing Conditions(PDF, 114MB)

Caruthers Complete Streets Presentation(PDF, 5MB)