FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Big changes are in sight for drivers on Millerton Road.
Since 2020, at least 17 people have died in crashes on the Fresno County Roadway.
Most recently, in July, two women were killed after a teen driving a Toyota SUV ran a stop sign and ran into a Nissan.
One of the victims was 88-year-old Yvonne Cheney of Auberry.
Cheney’s grandson says she was riding with her son and husband.
Both were seriously injured.
Her husband was only released from the hospital a few weeks ago.
“He and my grandma have been married for over 60 years. So, him trying to just learn how to be without her is one of the hardest things,” said Cheney’s grandson, Jacob Cheney.
They’re not the only ones who’ve lost loved ones along the stretch of roadway by Millerton Lake.
In 2022, Action News spoke with the family of 32-year-old Marcelino Rodriguez.
He was one of five people killed in a crash on Millerton at Marina Drive.
Local, regional, and state officials say stories like theirs are why a portion of Millerton Road is becoming the Central Valley’s first State Priority Safety Corridor.
“The purpose of today’s effort is simple: To prevent tragedies and create a safer transportation system for everyone who lives, works, visits, and travels through this community,” said CalTrans District 6 Director Michael Navarro.
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CalTrans began establishing priority safety corridors one year ago.
They help to make infrastructure adjustments and improvements.
“In some parts it could be improving the shoulder of the roadway,” said California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin of the potential changes to Millerton. “It may be adding rumble strips to parts of roadways that don’t have it. It may be improving lighting. So, it’s going to vary.”
But those changes are just a part of the plan.
Officials say they’ll combine them with public education and law enforcement partnerships to enforce safer driving.
Based on data showing the greatest danger, the corridor will span just over a mile from near Millerton Lake to Winchell Cove Road.
That’s right near where Rodriguez lost his life.
But the crash that the Cheneys were involved in happened outside that area.
Still, Yvonne’s grandson is grateful something is being done.
“I kind of didn’t expect to see anything happen. So, the fact that something is happening is really promising, and does make me feel good,” he said.
Omishakin told Action News there is no clear budget for the improvements yet, but the state may need to rely on local and regional partners to secure funding if necessary.
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