‘I was waving my arms screaming yelling at the driver’: Changes made to dangerous Fresno intersection

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Major changes have just been completed to enhance the safety of people walking and biking along Tulare Street near Roosevelt High School.

The changes include extended sidewalks, bike lanes, accessible curbs, and street lights.

The project has been in the works for years after countless accidents and even more close calls.

Heidi White remembers Nov. 3, 2016, like it was yesterday when her son Noah, who was two at the time, was hit by a car as they were crossing Tulare Street near Rowell Elementary School.

“I was waving my arms screaming yelling at the driver telling them to slow down and in that moment I realized Noah was just out of my reach”.

She continued “Miraculously all he had was a busted lip and bump on his forehead”.

While Noah was fortunate to make a full recovery, others have not been as lucky.

On the same day of Noah’s incident, another child was hit crossing the road in that very same intersection and still deals with health issues to this day.

“I couldn’t believe the number of stories of people having close encounters with cars,” said White.

Since 2016 the city has been working to install an expanded sidewalk, new bike lanes, and brighter street lights on the section of Tulare Street.

The improvements enhance the safety for pedestrians while also limiting the speeds of cars traveling in the area.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer says the improvements will prevent more tragedies from happening

“It is about protecting our families, it’s about protecting our students”.