News Summary
Shaw Avenue in Fresno will be fully closed nightly as construction for the California High-Speed Rail progresses. Motorists are advised to take alternate routes. The closures are compounding existing traffic and business challenges in the area, with several local businesses shuttering due to various reasons. Recent incidents have also raised safety concerns, further complicating the situation for residents and drivers alike.
Fresno – Shaw Avenue will be fully closed in both directions between Blythe and Cornelia starting Monday night, September 25th, as part of the ongoing construction work by the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The closure will be in effect nightly from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. and is scheduled to last through Friday, October 3rd. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes during this period.
During the nightly closures, designated detour routes will be in place to assist drivers in navigating around the construction activities. Details of the detours and alternate routes can be accessed for those seeking guidance on their commutes through the affected area.
This construction project is a significant phase in the development of California’s high-speed rail system, which aims to improve transportation across the state. Although the construction is essential for the progress of the high-speed rail, it adds to the existing traffic challenges in Fresno, where several businesses have also been affected by closures in recent months.
The summer of 2025 saw a notable increase in business closures in Fresno, impacting local economies and community services. A well-known establishment, NY Bagelry, opted to close its location at the intersection of Shaw and Marks avenues following the expiration of its lease but continues to operate at three other locations in the area. Another local favorite, KuniSama, a Japanese restaurant located at Herndon and Willow avenues, shut its doors without providing public insight into the decision.
Round Table Pizza, situated near Shaw and West avenues, confirmed it has closed permanently, although the reason for its closure remains unspecified. Additionally, George’s Shish Kebab, a downtown Fresno icon, closed after a lengthy operation of 43 years, primarily due to health concerns affecting the owner.
The closure trend has extended to the fast-food sector as well, with two KFC locations shutting down – one at First Street and Bullard Avenue and another at Dakota and West avenues, with no clear reasons provided. Other noteworthy closures include Straw Hat Pizza at 80 W. Shaw Avenue, which has ceased operations with plans for a new restaurant, Dosan A Social Eatery, expected to take its place.
Meanwhile, the closure of Arby’s at Ashlan and Cedar avenues has left just one operational location of the popular fast-food chain in Fresno. All Rite Aid locations in Fresno have also shut down following the company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, impacting many customers who relied on the pharmacy chain.
In the retail sector, a vintage boutique associated with Neighborhood Thrift has closed, though their two other stores remain operational. Additionally, a local biking store that began operations in 2010 as Sunnyside Bicycles has merged with another location and ceased its individual operations.
Another notable closure includes Mitsui Buffet in Clovis, which may be permanent as it has announced a temporary closure due to remodeling. However, previous health permit issues have raised concerns over its future. Furthermore, a historic roadside hamburger and ice cream stand in Coarsegold has closed due to lease disputes, although the owner plans to continue operations with a food truck.
In addition to the construction and business closures, recent incidents have also heightened safety concerns in the area. The Fresno Fire Department responded to a commercial vehicle fire involving a garbage truck on Shaw Avenue. Flames were discovered in the truck’s load by the driver, who managed to dispose of the garbage safely on the street. This incident resulted in piles of trash and visible clean-up crews at the scene, causing blocked lanes on Shaw Avenue, further complicating traffic in the already congested area.
The combination of nightly road closures, the impact of local business shutdowns, and recent emergency incidents pose ongoing challenges for residents and drivers in Fresno. Observers will be closely monitoring how these changes affect the community in the coming weeks.
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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
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
