Pedestrians heading south on McKinley Avenue towards Fresno City College will be in for a change. The Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr. restaurants near the intersection of Blackstone and McKinley have already closed, marking the beginning of a massive railroad transformation that will leave the area nearly unrecognizable once the project is completed.
The $150 million project, partly funded by an $80 million state grant, is designed to make one of Fresno’s busiest railroad crossings safer and to improve traffic flow in the long term, according to city officials. Construction is planned for 2026-2029.
The plan calls for building an underpass that will reroute vehicles beneath the BNSF railroad tracks, helping reduce traffic buildup and improve the flow of cars through the area.
Dozens of goods and passenger trains pass through the intersection daily, and each crossing causes an average delay of three minutes for drivers. Over the past decade, four fatalities have occurred at the site, according to The Fresno Bee; tragic incidents the city hopes to prevent with this new design.
To make room for the new underpass, the city is using eminent domain, a legal principle that allows the government to acquire private property for public use when negotiations fail. According to GV Wire, 27 businesses and four homes are being affected by the project.
Among them are Carl’s Jr., Dutch Bros Coffee, A&T Ceramics, an auto body shop, and several small businesses that have served the community for years. According to the Fresno Bee, six owners have already accepted deals totaling roughly $4.7 million. However, others are still holding out, arguing that the city’s compensation does not account for relocation expenses, lost inventory or the difficulty of rebuilding customer bases elsewhere.
The impact is already visible. According to the Fresno Bee, Dutch Bros, for example, stands to lose its drive-thru access due to upcoming elevation changes and the installation of retaining walls. Even larger chains, such as Carl’s Jr., have temporarily shuttered, disrupting the daily routines of both local residents and Fresno City College students who relied on these spots for quick meals between classes.
Where there were once busy drive-thrus now stand empty parking lots. For both residents and students, this is the start of a new chapter for the neighborhood.
According to a GV Wire report, city traffic engineer Alex Gonzalez explained that the temporary closures and detours are necessary to keep construction on schedule and to ensure safety for both workers and drivers. While the explanation makes sense from an engineering standpoint, not everyone is pleased with the short-term disruption it brings.
For students, the change is already being felt across campus. “That Taco Bell was my go-to between classes,” FCC student Alejandro Arevalo said. “Now I have to walk farther or plan around class time just to grab lunch.”
The convenience factor of some restaurants simply doesn’t exist anymore.
What might seem like a minor inconvenience is actually reshaping students’ daily habits and sense of community. Some now have to walk longer distances, coordinate off-campus plans, or spend more money on alternative food options.
Traffic has also become a bigger concern.
“Traffic and parking are already a nightmare,” FCC student Kayla Torres said. “With more students here next year, it’s going to be even tougher to enter or leave campus.”
For returning students, the surrounding atmosphere of the campus has altered.
“The whole experience of walking to campus feels different this year. It’s like the area is being sealed off,” FCC student Aaron Vasquez said.
Students expressed concern that nearby businesses not directly affected by construction might still suffer due to reduced foot traffic, another ripple effect of the city’s massive renovation project.
Despite frustrations, not all students view the changes negatively.
“This is inconvenient, but I understand the city’s perspective,” FCC student David Nguyen said. “Safety is more important, even if it takes a long time to get back to normal.”
Others are anticipating the changes with a balance of anxiety and excitement.
“This will probably change how the area feels for years to come, not just during construction,” said Ruben Martinez, a student from Fresno City College. “It’s exciting in a way, but also stressful.”
The construction on the Blackstone underpass may continue through 2029, with detours and closures to be gradually implemented as work progresses. The city says the project will not only enhance safety but also provide smoother access to Fresno City College and nearby neighborhoods once completed. For now, the residents and students should adjust to temporary disruptions while awaiting long-term improvements to one of Fresno’s busiest intersections.
