Cities love a "win win." Any "wins" beyond that must be viewed with skepticism.
The CIty of Fresno's Public Works Director says nothing stands in the way of timing traffic lights on Shaw avenue. At last, the 96,000 people who grace the pavement won't have much in their way either.
Shaw has 23 traffic signals between Highways 99 and 168. People who drive the stretch yell at each bulb like they're mortal enemies.
A similar project on Herndon avenue is giving the red bulbs a break. Gas purchasers are taking breaths of their own.
Travel times will be reduced by about 20%. The feeling of anger that sets in when people stand at a gasoline pump will learn to relax.
Herndon motorists saved 1.5 million gallons of gas in one year. The yellow glow above one of the most polluted areas in the country is the only thing that stands to lose.
Experts say the air will shed an extra 1,100 pounds of particulate mater every year. It's hard to count, but your city is buying lunch with quarters, you can count on them to do the math.
Almost all of the $8.5 million invested on Shaw avenue will be paid by Fresno's state and federal friends.
TXT 24
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