Progress is being made on the continued rehabilitation of one of Turlock’s oldest and most used byways — Golden State Boulevard.

The Turlock City Council heard a report about the next area of work that will be done on Golden State Boulevard — from Dels Lane to Tuolumne Road. Currently, that corridor has two lanes southbound and three lanes northbound.

“The pavement condition along the corridor is very poor,” said Ed Noriega from transportation engineering consultant Mark Thomas & Company out of Fresno, who pointed out a number of areas of “alligator” cracking.

Noriega went over the usual plans for an expressway like Golden State Boulevard is six full lanes, a median, buffered bike lanes and landscaping. However, city staff is recommending keeping it two lanes going southbound and three lanes northbound while adding the buffered bike lanes, median and sidewalks.

“The city’s Active Transportation Plan has identified that there’s a gap in bicycle lanes and sidewalks along this corridor,” said Noriega.

Sidewalks will be installed on the east side of the road, but in parts along Divanian (which is a frontage road) instead of Golden State Boulevard.

The estimated cost of the project is $11.6 million, which would be paid for by the citywide tax Measure A and a $2 million federal Carbon Reduction Program grant. Noriega said the city will continue to seek out other grants to help fund the project.

Fall 2027 is the estimated timeline to begin the project.

Councilmember Cassandra Abram asked why this particular section of Golden State Boulevard was chosen.

“This was the worst section,” said city roads program manager Fred Pezeshk.

He also said it was an extension from work that was done previously from W. Main Street to Fulkerth Road.