One of the city’s most dramatic pedestrian projects just wrapped up around Modesto High School.
Students returned for the fall semester on Aug. 13 to find two fewer traffic lanes where H Street becomes Paradise Road. Several crosswalks in the neighborhood got extra-wide speed bumps. New roundabouts handle traffic at two tricky intersections.
George Reed Inc. of Modesto did the work on a $8.5 million contract approved last August by the City Council. The crews minimized lane closures during the 2023-24 school year but needed major detours over summer break.
The project extended about 0.7 miles southwest from First to Sheridan streets, including MaxxValue Foods and other businesses. Paradise runs at a diagonal to the main street grid, creating awkward intersections for drivers, walkers and cyclists.
City worked with school district
The city planned the project with input from Modesto City Schools. The high school is divided by Paradise and H, forcing students to cross between class periods.