Sanger Secures $906,000 Grant for Fowler Switch Canal Multi-Use Bridge

A $906,000 grant approved by the Sanger City Council on March 19 is set to fill one of the city's most conspicuous pedestrian gaps: a missing sidewalk connection along Jensen Avenue, where the Fowler Switch Canal forces walkers off the path and onto the roadway.

The council approved a resolution to accept the Measure C Safe Routes to School funding, with the dollars earmarked to cover a significant portion of the Fowler Switch Canal Multi-Use Bridge Project.

Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Martinez explained that the project involves a bridge over the canal on Jensen Avenue, designed to complete the sidewalk connecting Veterans Park to the Chipotle and Starbucks corridor. That stretch is a well-traveled pedestrian route, particularly for students and families, and its current gap pushes foot traffic directly into vehicle lanes.

"It's really important, and avoids individuals from walking onto the roadway," Martinez told City Engineer Joshua Rogers during the meeting. "I appreciate your work on this, and I look forward to you working with the Consolidated Irrigation District right away."

Martinez also recognized Rogers for quickly pulling together the grant application following a last-minute announcement from the Fresno Council of Governments.

The Measure C Safe Routes to School program made $6 million available to 14 Fresno Council of Governments member jurisdictions, targeting safety infrastructure for bicycle and pedestrian projects within a half-mile radius of school sites in rural Fresno County. Sanger's canal bridge project fits squarely within that mandate.

The council's vote not only secured the funding but also authorized city staff to move forward with project development. With the Consolidated Irrigation District set to be engaged as a key partner, the next phase will determine how quickly the bridge moves from approved concept to active construction.