Road 427/428 evaluation

Kyle Stivers

Earlier this year, The Blue Print wrote an editorial about how to make the roads leading up to Yosemite High School safer. In response to the editorial, Madera County Road Commissioner Robert E. Townsend has outlined a brief summary of the changes to Road 427, Road 426, and Road 428 that will be coming or have been completed.

The most recent change to the roads since the article was written was the stop light at the Road 426 and Road 427 intersection. However, other changes that are coming to the roads will be an overlay and four-foot bike lanes leading to the school.

An evaluation was also done to see whether or not a crosswalk signal and/or a stop sign at the school’s new entrance in front of the marquee was needed. For this evaluation, YHS enlisted the help of Peters Engineering to evaluate this problem and the other problems that will come up with the brand new construction that will be going on at the school.

The summary of the report states that Road 427 and Road 428 do not need stop signs where those two roads connect. However, the report did state that stop signs were needed to control traffic exiting the schools, but not along Road 427 and 428.

This report also notes that there will be extended delays after different events such as football games, however, according to the report, this did not justify the need to install full time traffic facilities.