Significant progress on the Plaza Drive Interchange Project continues, although the closure of the eastbound on-ramp to State Highway 198 has been moved to Tuesday, Nov. 27. The delay avoids the busy Thanksgiving holiday and forecasted inclement weather conditions. The temporary traffic signal at the 3-way-stop at the Hurley/Shirk intersection was completed today in anticipation of the closure and will help with traffic flow during this time frame.

For project updates, click here. 

Progress Made on Council Priorities

At the annual planning workshop in February, the City Council concluded it would be a year of "no new projects" given the economy and the number of projects already underway. Council identified 13 priority items they wanted staff to focus on in the coming year. The priority items ranged from making progress on the Animal Control Facility to securing funding for the new Public Safety Dispatch Center, from completing the General Plan Update by the first quarter of 2013 to emphasizing economic development in Downtown, on Mooney Boulevard and in the Industrial Park, and from improving the City's image and aesthetics to continuing the City's focus on resource sustainability. For the complete report and progress made on all 13 items, click here.

Broadband Project Nears Completion

The City Council received an update on the Central Valley Next Generation Broadband Infrastructure Project from Mike Stewart, director of marketing for Vast Networks. At its completion, the project will deliver a broadband fiber-based infrastructure throughout 18 counties in Central California. Over 70% of the construction across Central California has been completed, and the majority of the anchor institutions are expected to have connectivity by March 2013. Over 65 miles of new infrastructure has been installed in Visalia, Tulare and Hanford, with less than 7 miles remaining. Commercial service throughout the City is expected to begin within the next 90 days. For more information about the project, visit www.cvngbip.org.