Working with the Tulare County Transportation Authority (TCAG), City staff can now move forward on the Tulare Avenue Extension Project.

A project that experienced past setbacks, the Extnension Project is rolling along again and will consist of the construction of Tulare Avenue from Lovers Lane. Easing traffic for the residential neighborhoods east of Lovers Lane, Tulare Avenue will effectively punch through to McAuliff Street. Providing easier access to Kiwanis Park and alleviating congestion on Lovers Lane and the Noble Avenue interesection, the project also includes the signalization of the Tulare Avenue and Lovers Lane intersection.

Currently in the engineering design phase after having received City Council approval, the planning inlcudes surveying, traffic signal modifications, striping, signage, street lighting, and storm drain design. Staff will now deliver the project earlier than anticipated with construction slated to begin in the first quarter of 2017.

School is back in session and new schedules are in place for families throughout Visalia. One schedule that hasn’t changed? Watering two days a week, odd addresses on Tuesday and Saturday and even addresses on Wednesday and Sunday.

Through the end of November, all outdoor landscape irrigation is limited to two days a week, determined by a homeowner’s address. On designated watering days, watering is allowed before 8 a.m. and/or after 6 p.m. and runoff is prohibited.

Hand watering of shrubs, trees or vegetables is allowed with a watering can or attended hose with a shut-off nozzle, but this does not apply to lawns. Car washing is only allowed with a hand-held bucket and/or a hand-held hose equipped with a shutoff nozzle.

For more information on Visalia’s watering regulations or to access the Water Conservation Ordinance, visit Visalia Natural Resources online at www.gogreenvisalia.com. 

This & That

• Celebrate First Friday tomorrow on the second Friday as the Visalia Convention Center is host to one of the Art Consortium's First Friday stops. From 5 - 8 p.m. in the Plaza  and enjoy great music provided by the Visalia Music School, along with local artists including Amber Hilton, Greg Halliwill and Josh Wittman as they show off their work.
  

• An open recruitment is taking place now for the position of Accounting Assistant. The Public Works Department is recruiting for the full-time position, as it will be responsible for accounts payable and receivable, account reconciliation, budget tracking, financial report preparation and more. The final filing date is Monday, September 19, 2016 at 5 p.m. For more information, or to apply, visit City of Visalia Human Resources. 

• New traffic signals are coming to downtown. The Traffic Signal Improvement Project is taking place now at the intersection of Main and Santa Fe Streets and at the intersection of Acequia Avenue and Santa Fe Street. Day work will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, November 4th. 

• Did you know that Visalia Transit, in collaboration with the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), has special discounts for our hometown heroes? As of this spring, Visalia Transit offers discounted fares and passes on Fixed Route and Paratransit services for all military personnel and their families with a valid ID. For more details, visit www.visaliatransit.com.