In a brief meeting Tuesday night the Turlock City Council approved a motion to make some much needed improvements to the Golden State Boulevard and F Street intersection.
In a unanimous vote the City Council awarded the construction bid to the Modesto-based George Reed Inc., for intersection improvements. The City Council also agreed to pay Union Pacific for the interconnection and coordination of a railroad crossing guard at the intersection.
The intersection is currently a two-way stop and traffic on F Street can have a difficult time turning left onto Golden State because of the fast moving traffic.
The project will include traffic signals, widening the north side of F Street, pavement repairs, new curb and gutters and pedestrian curb ramps. Because of the close proximity to the railroad tracks, the intersection has to be coordinated with the railroad guards. The agreement between the city and Union Pacific requires the city to pay 100 percent of the actual costs associated with the work.
The city will recoup some of the money spent on the project because it has been selected as a recipient of federal funds under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. According to the city report, traffic signals at the intersection will improve traffic efficiency and decrease emissions.
The total project is expected to cost $766,670. Federal funding should cover $606,149, leaving the city to pay the remaining $160,521.
Also on Tuesday, the City Council:
• Appointed Alice Pollard and Ashour Badal to fill the two vacant alternate positions on the Turlock Planning Commission. Badal is an associate dean at California State University, Stanislaus and Pollard is the principal at Turlock Adult School.
• Accepted the donation of the Brandon Koch Memorial Skate Park sign from Judith Suliman.
• Approved an Industrial Hauler business license for Central Valley Clean Up Inc.
• Heard a final ordinance reading for a new tow away zone on S. Broadway between W. Main and A streets during the Turlock Farmers' Market hours of operation.
• Heard a final ordinance reading prohibiting pedestrians from being on median islands other than to cross the street.
• Approved a resolution to support the Healthy Eating Active Living cities campaign.
The Turlock City Council will begin their new meeting time of 6 p.m. at the next meeting scheduled for April 9.