Changes are coming to Friant Road in Fresno: ‘It’s not a safe corner’
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Work to install new safety features at the intersection of Friant Road and Audubon Drive is set to start this week. Officials with the City of Fresno say the move will help protect pedestrians and bicyclists trying to cross either of the two roads.
“The intersection will have a no right on red, but it will also have a special right turn phase for vehicles,” said the Public Works Director Scott Mozier.
Motorcyclist killed after crash in Fresno named by family
Mozier says the “no right on red” will allow bicyclists and pedestrians to safely cross Audubon Driver without the threat of right-turning traffic.
“To do all that, what we need to do is extend, lengthen, the right turn pocket coming southbound on Friant,” said Mozier.
Mozier says the far-right, southbound lane on Friant Road will be closed during overnight hours from Shepherd to Audubon – from Monday until some time in July. It is the latest in changes stemming from a 2022 promise by city leaders to make the roads by Woodward Park safer following multiple tragic deaths, including that of 61-year-old Paul Moore.
Paul was hit and killed by a right-turn driver on his lay-down bicycle at the intersection of Friant Road and Audobon Drive.
Friends mourn bicyclist hit and killed by truck near Fresno’s Woodward Park
“If you’ve been on this corner at all, you know that it’s not a safe corner,” said his sister, Diana Durham.
Diana says that even though Paul was hit crossing on the green light. The change the city is putting into place could save people in a similar situation – but only if drivers cooperate.
“I think it would help,” said Diana. “It all matters if the drivers comply, and everyone has to follow the rules for this to work. When people don’t follow the rules, that’s when accidents happen or tragedies happen.”
Durham says she and her family continue to honor Paul’s legacy as they keep in sight a priority to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.
“We’re trying to keep his memory alive and we’re focusing on helping the city make the city safer, so Paul’s life wasn’t lost for nothing.”
