MERCED COUNTY — The Merced County Board of Supervisors on March 3 approved a sweeping $31.9 million road rehabilitation project that will resurface 17 roadways across unincorporated areas of the county.

The project will cover approximately 41.3 miles of roadway and represents one of the largest locally financed transportation investments in county history. County officials said the work will be funded through the issuance of bonds, allowing the county to leverage future road revenues to accelerate improvements.

Merced County typically funds road rehabilitation through a mix of local, state and federal sources, including Measure V, the half‑cent transportation sales tax approved by voters in 2016. Measure V generates between $5 million and $6 million annually for county road projects, but officials said that amount is not enough to complete large‑scale resurfacing efforts without additional financing.

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026 and take two to three years to complete.

Board Chairman Daron McDaniel said the investment reflects a commitment to improving infrastructure residents rely on daily.

“We’re rapidly accelerating road repairs by leveraging our Measure V allocation and strategic financing,” McDaniel said. “This is a game‑changer for Merced County.”

County Executive Officer Mark Hendrickson called the project the largest locally funded transportation investment in county history. He said the plan demonstrates “sound fiscal planning, innovative thinking and disciplined use of voter‑approved transportation funding without impacting the County’s general fund.”

The project aligns with the county’s 2025‑2028 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes roadway resurfacing. County officials emphasized that the newly approved list does not replace or delay other road projects already scheduled, including work on Santa Fe Drive, Turlock Road, McKee Road and Hatch Road.