Ivanhoe residents celebrate beginning of sidewalk project on Road 160, announcement of another sidewalk project at State Route 216 and Ave. 328 to begin in 2025
By: Pedro Hernandez, The Ivanhoe Sol
After years of planning, meetings, and waiting, over fifty Ivanhoe residents and Tulare County employees gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony for the town’s Road 160 sidewalk project.
The event was sponsored by the Tulare County Resource Management Agency and the Tulare County Association of Governments. Those in attendance were provided water, pan dulce, and burritos from the Ivanhoe Drive In.
In essence, this project will create sidewalks, gutters, and bike lanes on Road 160 from Avenue 328 to Avenue 332.
The project construction was possible due to a contribution of $1,199,500 from Tulare County road funds and $1,288,000 from California’s Active Transportation Program, a statewide competitive grant fund, for a total of $2,487,500 of investment.
It is estimated to take roughly 90 days to complete construction. An estimated six hundred students live within this half-mile project and roughly half walk or bike daily along the route.
COMMUNITY RECEPTION
At the start of the ceremony programming, Tulare County Supervisor, Eddie Valero, welcomed and addressed the audience with appreciation.
He said, “this initiative is not just about laying down concrete , it’s about paving the way for a safer, more connected, and thriving community. Our beautiful community of Ivanhoe, with nearly five thousand residents, is taking a step forward in prioritizing the safety and well being of our youth and families.”
The event was also attended by school representatives like Sandra Aguilera, Ivanhoe Elementary Principal. She said,“I believe this road project is important to the kids because it will greatly increase the safety for students and parents who walk their kids to and from school.”
Paul Belt, Area Two Board Member for Visalia Unified School District also was in attendance. He said, “Ivanhoe is very endearing to me, I grew up in a community very similar and often underfunded because it is unincorporated.” He also shared that even though the Visalia Unified School District does not have a direct influence over road projects he appreciated the work of Tulare County, saying “Yes! Thank you for doing it because it will make a huge difference.” He said that Ivanhoe Elementary is an “anchor school” for the community, continuing with “lots of things go through it, that community members are proud of the school, and that they even take care of it so I always want to show my support. It’s one of the oldest schools in the county.”
Tulare County Resource Management Agency Director, Mike Washam provided insight on the overall process, sharing that “there were multiple meetings over these last eight years.” In order to ensure the Road 160 improvement project was eligible and more competitive for funds, his agency incorporated the project in the 2019 Ivanhoe Community Plan. Under his direction, the agency has advanced various road improvement projects ranging from potholes to the pedestrian crosswalk on road 159 and Avenue 328, sidewalk improvements directly in front of Ivanhoe Elementary School, and well as clearing a portion of Azalea Avenue to allow for the construction of Bob Felts Soccer Field.
The ceremony concluded with Ivanhoe community members sharing words of encouragement and appreciation.
Holding an umbrella for protection from the rising morning temperatures, community member Imelda Olivares addressed the audience and said, “I’m very excited to see this project because there are many things to come.”
STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE
Prior to the actual groundbreaking component of the event, many people were already looking forward to Ivanhoe’s future.
Supervisor Eddie Valero concluded the event by saying, “This was an important project that the community brought to my attention once I started in office. This is not only a project that is pouring concrete, its a project that is connecting people, connecting lives, connecting youth, and families to safer routes to school and the center of town.”
He also shared that the Road 160 sidewalk improvement project will support an additional project in 2025.
The next project for Ivanhoe is another pedestrian safety project at the five-way intersection in the center of town. According to the California Department of Transportation, the project will include Route 216, from Avenue 327 to Avenue 328, to create a safe route to school. The project also proposes to improve or add pedestrian sidewalks that cross over two railroad tracks, build Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps, driveways, a transit turnoff pad, and a transit shelter. The project will reconfigure the current 5-legged intersection to a standard 4-legged intersection by realigning the southern terminus of Depot Drive. Other improvements include reconstructing drainage elements as needed, relocating utilities if required, and installing or improving lighting within the project limits.
While the forthcoming 2025 five-way intersection project has potential for streetlight improvements, there remains potential for a brighter future in other areas of Ivanhoe.
Looking forward, Supervisor Valero shared, “I’m hoping that we will work with the community council to identify lighting in our neighborhoods, I know it’s been a huge concern for several, and identifying those prime locations for lighting up our neighborhood for security and safety in the evening for our residents.”
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