Millerton Road widening proposal sparks debate

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno County board of supervisors weighed in Tuesday on the push to expand a busy road leading up to Table Mountain Casino. In 2006 voters passed Measure C, which funds construction for the county's highways and roads. But now there's a move to use some of the money, which was set aside for highways, on the west side to a road in the Friant area.

What happens with this two lane stretch leading up to Millerton Lake and Table Mountain Casino could impact many drivers, business owners, and city leaders on the west side. At the center of the debate is whether Measure C funds for improvements at Highway 180 to I-5 can now be shifted to upgrade Millerton Road.

Fresno County Supervisor Judy Case said that if they are using county specific funds they also need to know what they are not going to do in the process.

Supporters of the road's expansion include companies such as Granville Homes and Table Mountain Casino. Both have properties in the area.

"It's a road with a lot of traffic that's growing," said Granville Homes' Jeff Roberts. "A lot of variety of traffic that's growing and it's a road with some safety problems."

"It is utilized on a regular basis to access the casino," said Table Mountain Casino's Angela Karst. "Tribal members have to access it as well as be able to access the tribal government. About 30 million dollars is at stake. But some city leaders say that money belongs to road projects on the west side of the county."

"There's a major problem of money shifted around and sometimes it's never put back," said Mendota Mayor Robert Silva. "As a representative of the west side it seems like this contact movement we are always penalized and I am tired of it."

Mendota City Manager Vince DiMaggio said that it's not at all clear whether the projects can simply be shifted from one category to the other, which would alter their place in the priority and possibly be inconsistent with voters consent.

Fresno County Supervisor Phil Larson said he's in favor of the Millerton road project, but not at the expense of cutting funding for Highway 180.

Right now both sides are taking another look at both projects before another meeting is scheduled.