Shirk Capacity Enhancement Project

Project Type: Roadway widening, street lights, installation of sewer and storm drain lines and curb and gutter

Schedule: Construction is set to begin March 17, 2025 and will run through January 2026

Receive Project Updates: To receive text message updates on this project, text the word Shirk to (888) 477-3146

Public Meetings

The Project Public Kick-Off Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Ridgeview Middle School. The meeting covered the project's benefits to the community, the duration of the project, planned detours and road closures, pedestrian, bicycle and property access.

If you were unable to attend, view the presentation here.

Latest Updates

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - Utility marking work on Shirk Street is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Thursday, March 27, 2025, for the City of Visalia Shirk Capacity Enhancement Project.

Crews will be working in Shirk Street, and travelers are asked to proceed cautiously and slow for the cone zone. Shirk Street will be open to thru traffic and flaggers will control traffic through any lane closures. Those who live, work, or are visiting businesses on Shirk Street will be able to access the area. The utility marking work will tentatively be completed on Thursday, April 8, 2025.

Friday, March 21, 2025 - The roadway closure at Riggin Avenue and Shirk Street, just north of Ferguson Avenue, has been extended through end of day Monday, March 24. Travelers are asked to follow the posted detours and slow for the cone zone. Those who live, work, or are visiting businesses on Shirk Street will be able to access the area.

Thursday, March 20, 2025 - Last night the Public Outreach meeting was held to share information with the public and answer questions. To see the presentation provided to those who attended, click here. On Shirk, work continues with sewer construction.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 - Due to the weather conditions forecasted for next week, the City of Visalia’s sewer construction work along Shirk Avenue in northwest Visalia, has been pushed to Monday, March 17.

If clear skies allow, crews will begin the sewer work on March 17 with work continuing through March 21, 2025. Construction areas remain the same, the project will begin at the northern end of Shirk Avenue, specifically just north of Oriole Avenue, and will extend northward, reaching beyond the Shirk and Riggin Avenues intersection.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 - Sewer construction work along Shirk Avenue is set to begin Monday, 10, 2025. During this phase of construction, a significant 400 linear feet of new sewer pipe will be installed to bolster the existing infrastructure.

The Riggin Avenue and Shirk Avenue intersection and northbound & southbound Shirk Avenue just north of Ferguson Avenue will be closed on Monday, March 10, 2025, and will reopen Friday, March 14, 2025. Dates are subject to change based on weather conditions. Please follow the posted detours. Localized traffic will be permitted access to reach homes and businesses.  

Wednesday, March 5, 2025: Join us! The Public Kick-Off Meeting for this project will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Ridgeview Middle School Multipurpose Room (located at 3315 N. Akers Ave., Visalia).

Project Summary:

The City of Visalia is excited to announce the Shirk Capacity Enhancement project, which includes the installation of a 48” mainline sanitary sewer line, storm drain line, curb and gutter, median curb, signalization and street lighting, striping, and roadway widening of Shirk Avenue. The City of Visalia is working with engineering firm VRPA Technologies, Inc. and construction management team NV5 on the project.

This project will occur in three phases:

Phase 1 (Shirk Street from Riggin Avenue to Doe Avenue): Kicks off in March 2025 through early May 2025. In Phase 1, there will be temporary road closures to install the sewer line, and roadway improvements will be completed following sewer work.

Phase 2 (Shirk Street from Hillsdale Avenue to Goshen Avenue): Kicks off in May 2025 through October 2025. In Phase 2, this section of roadway will need to be closed to complete the sewer and roadway improvements, hard closures will be adjusted to allow local traffic to access the area as work is completed.

Phase 3 (Shirk Street from Goshen Avenue to Doe Avenue): Kicks off November 2025 and continues through early January 2026 as work continues and wraps up on project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Will I be able to get to my home or business?

Yes, access will be provided for those who live and work in the area.  Access points may change during construction, but access will always be available.

Will shops and businesses be open during construction? Will driveways be open during construction?

Yes, the contractor will provide access points to all those who live and work in the area, as well as access to shops and businesses. If needed, the contractor will build temporary ramps to allow vehicles access to driveways.  Where there are multiple access points, some driveways will be closed.

How long will construction last?

Construction will begin March 2025 and is scheduled to continue through three phases with the project being completed in January 2026.

How do I stay up to date on updates and road closures?

To receive text message updates on this project directly to your phone, text the word Shirk to (888) 477-3146. Updates will also be posted on this page of the City website, as well as on the City of Visalia Facebook, Instagram and X.

Contact Information:

Contract Construction Manager:  Kolton Walker, PE, NV5

Phone:  (559) 355-9506

Email:  [email protected]

City of Visalia Contact: Diego Corvera, PE, LCI, Senior Civil Engineer

Phone: (559) 713-4209

Email: [email protected]