News Summary

Starting Monday night, Shaw Avenue in Fresno will experience full closures between Blythe Avenue and Cornelia Avenue from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily until October 3rd. These closures are part of the California High-Speed Rail project, necessitating detours for motorists. The construction aims to develop infrastructure for a high-speed train system, while several local businesses have permanently closed amid these urban changes.

Fresno: Shaw Avenue to Experience Nightly Closures for High-Speed Rail Construction Until October 3rd

Nightly Road Closures Begin Monday Night for Construction Work

Starting this Monday night, Shaw Avenue in Fresno will undergo full closures in both directions between Blythe Avenue and Cornelia Avenue. The closures are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. each night and will remain in effect until 6 a.m. the following morning. This routine will continue through Friday, October 3rd, as part of ongoing construction work related to the California High-Speed Rail project.

Impact on Traffic and Detours

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and use detours and alternate routes during these closures. Specific detour information and alternative routing options are available and should be consulted to avoid delays. The California High-Speed Rail Authority has emphasized the importance of these nighttime closures to ensure the safety of construction crews and to minimize daytime traffic disruption.

Construction Work Tied to High-Speed Rail Development

The purpose of these nightly closures is to facilitate ongoing construction activities for the California High-Speed Rail project, which aims to develop a high-speed train system connecting multiple cities in California. The project involves extensive infrastructure work, including track installation, utility adjustments, and roadway modifications in Fresno.

Recent Business Closures in Fresno

While the construction progresses, several local businesses in Fresno have shuttered their doors, particularly over the summer of 2025. Among them is NY Bagelry’s location on Shaw and Marks avenues, which closed due to lease expiration but continues operating at three other sites in the region. Similarly, KuniSama, a Japanese restaurant at Herndon and Willow avenues, closed unexpectedly without public comment from the owners.

Another longstanding business, Round Table Pizza near Shaw and West avenues, confirmed its permanent closure but did not specify the reasons behind its shutdown. George’s Shish Kebab, a downtown Fresno fixture for 43 years, closed citing health concerns of its owner. Additionally, two KFC locations—one near First Street and Bullard Avenue, and another near Dakota and West avenues—also shut permanently for reasons that have not been publicly disclosed.

Further closures include the Straw Hat Pizza at 80 W. Shaw Avenue and its attached arcade, which recently closed. The location is slated to reopen as Dosan A Social Eatery. The Arby’s at Ashlan and Cedar avenues has also closed, leaving Fresno with only one remaining fast-food location for the chain.

In other retail news, all Rite Aid stores in Fresno have closed following the company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A small vintage boutique selling goods from Neighborhood Thrift closed its store, though the two remaining stores are still in operation. Local bicycle enthusiasts saw the closure of Sunnyside Bicycles, originally opened in 2010, which has merged operations with another location.

The Mitsui Buffet in Clovis appears to have closed permanently, despite a sign indicating a temporary remodeling closure. Reports note that health compliance issues may also be playing a role. In Coarsegold, a historic roadside hamburger and ice cream stand closed due to lease disputes but plans to continue operations with a food truck are underway.

Recent Emergency Response Involving Shaw Avenue

The Fresno Fire Department responded to a commercial vehicle fire on Shaw Avenue involving a garbage truck. The driver observed flames in the vehicle’s load and safely disposed of the trash onto Shaw Avenue before firefighters arrived. Emergency crews conducted clean-up operations, which included removing debris and blocking lanes, temporarily impacting traffic flow in the area.

Summary

The ongoing construction on Shaw Avenue as part of California High-Speed Rail development will restrict traffic nightly until early October, with detours in place for affected drivers. Concurrently, Fresno has experienced a notable number of business closures, reflecting economic shifts and ongoing urban changes. Emergency responses such as the recent garbage truck fire demonstrate the continuing activity and challenges faced in the city’s daily 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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