News Summary
Shaw Avenue in Fresno will experience nightly closures as construction for the California High-Speed Rail progresses. Starting Monday, both directions will be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until October 3rd. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes. The construction aims to enhance rail services across California, but local businesses are feeling the impact. Several establishments in the vicinity have closed permanently due to various reasons, creating concerns among the community about the ongoing changes in the local business landscape.
Fresno will see continuous nightly closures on Shaw Avenue as construction work for the California High-Speed Rail Authority progresses. The closures, which affect both directions of traffic between Blythe Street and Cornelia Avenue, are set to begin on Monday night, lasting from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night until October 3rd.
Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes during the closure times, with specific detours implemented to minimize inconvenience. For those interested, a comprehensive guide outlining detours and alternate routes will be made available to assist drivers navigating through the affected area.
This construction initiative is part of a larger project aimed at enhancing rail services and connectivity across California. The high-speed rail is expected to provide significant transportation advantages, but ongoing construction has led to various challenges for local traffic and businesses in affected areas.
Impact on Local Businesses
The business landscape in Fresno has experienced notable changes recently, particularly during the summer of 2025. Many establishments, including local restaurants and stores, have faced closures that have raised concerns within the community.
Among the notable closures is a location of NY Bagelry at the intersection of Shaw and Marks avenues, which closed its doors due to lease expiration. Fortunately, this establishment continues to operate at three other locations in the area. Similarly, the well-regarded KuniSama, a Japanese restaurant located at Herndon and Willow avenues, has shuttered without prior notice from its owners.
Another loss for the community is the Round Table Pizza near Shaw and West avenues, which confirmed its closure as permanent but did not disclose reasons behind the decision. Furthermore, George’s Shish Kebab in downtown Fresno has closed after 43 years of service, which the owners attributed to health concerns.
Two franchise locations of KFC have also permanently closed; one at First Street and Bullard Avenue and another at Dakota and West avenues. However, reasons for these closures remain unspecified. Another recent closure involves Straw Hat Pizza at 80 W. Shaw Ave, which has now been replaced with plans for a new restaurant, Dosan A Social Eatery.
The frequency of store closures continues with the recent shutdown of Arby’s at Ashlan and Cedar avenues, leaving just one operating location of the fast-food chain in Fresno. Additionally, all Rite Aid stores in Fresno have closed following the company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, while a vintage boutique connected to Neighborhood Thrift has closed its location, although its two other stores remain operational.
A long-established biking store, initially known as Sunnyside Bicycles, has closed after operating since 2010, merging its business with another location. Meanwhile, Mitsui Buffet in Clovis has also been shut down, with signs indicating a temporary closure for remodeling, though potential health permit issues have been reported. In Coarsegold, a historic roadside hamburger and ice cream stand ceased operations due to disputes over its lease, but the owner plans to transition into a food truck service.
Recent Incidents on Shaw Avenue
Compounding the traffic issues on Shaw Avenue, the Fresno Fire Department has responded to a recent incident involving a commercial vehicle fire. A garbage truck driver reported flames in the load, resulting in the driver safely disposing of the garbage onto Shaw Avenue. Clean-up crews were promptly deployed, but the scene caused blocked lanes, further straining local traffic.
As the high-speed rail project continues to unfold, residents and businesses in Fresno must adapt to both the ongoing construction and the shifting retail landscape. The situation remains dynamic, with further developments expected in both the construction timeline and local business operations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- ABC30: High-Speed Rail Construction Closure
- Fresno Bee: Restaurant Updates
- KMPH: Lane Closures on Shaw Avenue
- The Business Journal: Restaurant Closures in Fresno
- Your Central Valley: Highway Closures
- Wikipedia: Fresno, California
- Google Search: High-Speed Rail California
- Google Scholar: California High-Speed Rail
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fresno
- Google News: Fresno Business Closures
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