Deadly stretch of Highway 41 will get concrete barriers to separate traffic
A dangerous and deadly stretch of Highway 41 in southern Fresno County will soon have a concrete barrier.
In the last two years, six people have been killed on the six-mile stretch of 41 that has no median.
Last September a grassroots group formed after a loved one was killed in a head-on crash. The group sounded off to every politician and it got results.
Lorna Roush started the group 'Widen 41' after her cousin's husband, Ken Atkins, was killed in a crash on September 16, 2020.
California Transportation Commissioner Lee Ann Eager spoke at the event announcing concrete medians are coming to 41.
"For Lorna and her family and all for all of the families of people who have been hurt and killed on this road this is actually for you."
The price tag for the temporary median barrier is $8.5 million. Caltrans projects it will cost $60-million for a permanent median extending from Elkhorn Avenue to Excelsior Avenue.
Assemblyman Jim Patterson helped getting the median project moving.
"It is part of a project that we are going to continue to work on until there are two lanes in both directions and this gap is closed."
While Patterson looks for state funding, Congressman David Valadao is trying to secure federal money.
"We've got six miles. It seems like a little bit but it does play a huge role."
Wednesday the Fresno County Transportation Authority will decide if "Measure C" funds can be spent on the project.
Eight months ago a small group headed by Lorna Roush asked questions, demanded action and created change.
"Thank you to the community members and our group members who have done an amazing job of bringing this to light."
Fresno county, state and federal lawmakers are now searching for a way to pool resources to make a temporary barrier, permanent.
Crews will soon be installing the concrete barriers on Highway 41. The project will cause traffic delays but it should be finished by mid-August.
