Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Wasco public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in roads
SR46 Improvement Project construction impacts
Caltrans is building a roundabout at SR43/46, replacing the BNSF rail bridge, and adding bike lanes and ADA upgrades. Construction starts November 2026 and finishes October 2029, with night lane closures and some full closures of 46 at F and J Streets. Residents and businesses should expect disruption and watch for commuter alerts.
unWired Broadband Street Cut Repairs
The Unwired representative canceled his update, but the city manager reports continued resident complaints about temporary repairs — Unwired is doing batch repairs rather than cement crews. Residents are still encouraged to register complaints.
Central Avenue ATP Project contract award
The city is spending $602,175 of grant-backed money to replace an asphalt path with concrete, add ADA ramps, and landscape Central Avenue between Pozo and Flower Street. It should make walking along that corridor safer and more accessible.
HAWK Crossing on Highway 46
The long-awaited HAWK and Beacon crosswalk projects at Highway 46/Poplar and Highway 43/8th Street kick off January 28th — residents have been asking about these for a while.
Road projects on track for summer construction
G Street streetlights and the 8th Street pedestrian crossing are done; HAWK signal poles for Highway 46 ship August 28.
Street and alley rehabilitation contracts
Council also wants a firm timeline for redoing Beckis and Palm avenues. Both projects are in design, mostly done in-house, and a newly hired project manager is expected to speed things up.
Regional Transportation Plan Update
The adopted plan charts Dial-A-Ride improvements including extended weekday hours and Saturday service pilots, plus a possible Route 110 realignment to serve Walmart and the Wonderful Industrial Park.
Gromer Avenue parking and school-route speeding
Public Works will add 16 parking stalls and two crosswalks near Rosalinda Village as part of the Gromer paving project — a quick fix for chronic overflow parking. A resident concern was relayed about cars speeding 60–70 mph during school drop-off; staff discussed possible enforcement and traffic-calming ideas.
Gromer Avenue repaving and utility tie-ins
A private developer is tying sewer and water lines into city utilities on north Gromer, which closed the street temporarily. Citywide repaving of Gromer will be bid out once that work finishes this week.