traffic – The Fresnan

Fresno vs. Portland: Traffic Edition

Portland traffic sucks tailpipe.

The above screenshot was taken at 2:50 PM on a random Wednesday. That is a lot of red for Wednesday afternoon.

Yeah I know, Portland has more people than Fresno. There are more cars. This is not a complete match of a comparison.

This is about the general day-to-day of what you have to deal with living in Portland vs. living in Fresno and having to drive to things.

So yes, there are more people in Portland. But unlike Fresno, Portland has things to help alleviate traffic:

A solid light-rail system throughout the city.
One of the THE best bike infrastructures in the country.
Friendly to walkers.

Yet, red ALL OVER the map, in the middle of the afternoon of a random week. So that means it’s like that every work day, at least.

And what is Fresno like at the same time on the same Wednesday?…

img_5175-810x1024 Fresno vs. Portland: Traffic Edition

A little bit of backup at the “McKinley Curve” and a little slowing on 99 Southbound – I assume to slowdown and look at the top of the castle in Storyland.

To be clear, I highly support heavy-duty bike infrastructure, light-rail and making things safe for walking within the city! Fresno needs these things. This isn’t a post against that.

I’m pointing out that Portland is doing everything right to lessen traffic and it STILL sucks shit. 🤣

Fresno wins this round. 👏👍

An Open Fulton Street Allows Fresno To Move On

Fulton-Street-Before-1024x669 An Open Fulton Street Allows Fresno To Move On

I didn’t want this. The Fulton Mall open to traffic.

I wanted the mall to be cleaned up. I wanted the art refurbished. I wanted the fountains to be working. But I didn’t want cars. That wasn’t possible.

It became “street or the same”. The same was a bad option. Same was an ignored Fulton Mall with little to no working fountains, forgotten art and too many people not comfortable with parking in garages and lots where they can’t see their car.

So I then begrudgingly became a supporter of traffic returning to Fulton. Better a shiny new sidewalk with working fountains and freshly polished art, than overgrown trees and neglect with no end in sight.

Saturday is the big thing-a-ma-jig to celebrate Fulton Street opening. For me, it will be more of a wake for Fulton Mall. But, it will be one of those fun wakes. The kind where you have a couple drinks and celebrate the life the person lived. Just, in this case, the person is a concrete open-air mall.

At Least Fresno and Downtown Can Move On To Other Things

We have debated what to do with the Fulton Mall for over a decade on Flowing With Famous. It’s going to be weird no longer needing to talk about it. Sure we still need to watch how the shops and restaurants will do now that there’s traffic. But we all get to move on now.

What is next? What should Fresno tackle now? Chinatown maybe? It will (fingers crossed) get a Hi-Speed Rail Station. That could be the push Chinatown needs to start getting some much-needed attention and renovation. It’s my pick anyway. Leave a comment on what you think the next project Fresno needs to tackle.

In the meantime, we have a wake to attend. I’ll see you out there. I hear they’ll have beer and it’s a safe bet it will be tough to get a parking spot.

Shameless Harrison Ford Tangent Ahead!

BTW, the Draggin’ the Main theme gives me yet another chance to use one of my favorite clips from American Graffiti, a movie about life growing up in the Central Valley in the 50’s (Modesto to be exact), so it’s relevant to Fulton Street, mmka?

A movie with, none other than Mr. Harrison Ford. Please tell me Bob Falfa dragged Fulton once:

*Pic was stolen from here.

The River Park Traffic Circle: Fresno’s Lifelong Challenge

River-Park-Traffic-Circle The River Park Traffic Circle: Fresno's Lifelong Challenge

River Park is 19 years old. Yep, hard to believe. Google said it so it must be true. Love it or hate, it’s a part of us now. All of it.

So River Park is pretty old and we are STILL learning how to maneuver through the damn traffic circle! Really though, when you drive up to it it’s like “Here we go. I wonder what’s going to happen this time.”

PRO TIP #1

Do NOT stop once you are in the traffic circle. Are you in the traffic circle? Good. That’s YOUR traffic circle now. Anybody that tries to come inside it is a trespasser and should yield to your power. They are your bitch.

PRO TIP #2

See pro tip #1. Or in other words: yield to the person already in the traffic circle. Remember, they are your King for the next few seconds and what they say goes.

That’s it. That’s all you need to remember. But if you still need help…

CLASS! Pay attention:

But hey. Don’t feel so dumb, Fresno. We are not the only ones that get confused with traffic circles. At least I’ve yet to see somebody going the wrong way like some dumbass Canadian hoser, ey?:

I’m going to stop there with the traffic circles videos. It can take you down a weird rabbit hold. Like this traffic circle video that’s oddly sensual:

Really I’d like to see everyone just have fun with the River Park Circle. It’s like a ride. Have fun. Just remember to yield when appropriate.