News Summary
Shaw Avenue in Fresno will be closed in both directions for high-speed rail construction starting Monday night. The closure, lasting from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly, will continue through the week. Drivers are advised to use alternate routes due to detours in place. The construction comes amid a wave of local business closures, as several establishments struggle in the current economic climate, highlighting ongoing challenges for the local economy and traffic patterns.
Fresno—Effective Monday night, Shaw Avenue will be fully closed in both directions between Blythe and Cornelia for high-speed rail construction. This closure will take place from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. nightly and is expected to last through Friday, October 3rd. The construction is being conducted by the California High Speed Rail Authority.
Drivers are advised to consider alternate routes as detours will be in place during the closure. A complete breakdown of detours and alternate routes for drivers is available for those needing to navigate the area safely.
This construction project comes at a time when Fresno has been experiencing a notable number of closures among local businesses. During the summer of 2025, several stores and restaurants shut their doors, affecting the local economy.
Among the closures, a local NY Bagelry, Uncle Harry’s, closed its Shaw and Marks avenues location due to its lease expiration, although it continues to operate at three other locations in Fresno. Another casualty was KuniSama, a Japanese restaurant located at Herndon and Willow avenues, which closed without any public comment from its owners.
Round Table Pizza near Shaw and West avenues has also confirmed its permanent closure, but specifics surrounding its reason for shutting down have not been disclosed. George’s Shish Kebab in downtown Fresno ended operations after 43 years, citing health concerns of its owner as a contributing factor.
Additionally, two KFC locations have closed their doors permanently; one was situated near First Street and Bullard Avenue, while the other was located near Dakota and West avenues, with no reasons provided for these closures. The iconic Straw Hat Pizza at 80 W. Shaw Ave. has closed down, but a new restaurant, Dosan A Social Eatery, is slated to open at the same location.
The Arby’s at Ashlan and Cedar avenues has closed, leaving only one location of the fast-food chain remaining in Fresno. In a significant development for retail, all Rite Aid locations in Fresno have shut down following the chain’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Local businesses have also faced challenges in recent months. A vintage boutique selling goods from Neighborhood Thrift has closed, though two of its stores continue to operate. Sunnyside Bicycles, which began operations in 2010, has merged with another location, leading to its shutdown.
In a related note, a restaurant in Clovis, Mitsui Buffet, has closed, with a sign indicating a temporary closure for remodeling, despite noted health permit issues. A historic roadside hamburger and ice cream stand in Coarsegold has closed due to lease disputes, but plans to operate as a food truck remain in the works.
On a separate note, the Fresno Fire Department recently responded to an incident involving a commercial vehicle fire. A garbage truck caught fire on Shaw Avenue when the driver noticed flames in the load. The driver safely disposed of the burning garbage onto the street, leading to visible piles of trash and clean-up crews at the scene, which blocked lanes on Shaw Avenue.
The current state of closures and construction in Fresno reflects ongoing challenges for both the local business landscape and traffic patterns in the area. As the high-speed rail project progresses, residents and visitors are urged to stay informed about detours and plan their routes accordingly.
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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
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