Measure S: Roads to Opportunity

Measure S is projected to generate $7.5 billion over 30 years.  An investment of this magnitude requires comprehensive planning, broad community involvement and the willingness to envision transportation investments needed over the next 30 years.  Meetings were held in communities across Fresno County to discuss where the county is headed and what the region needs. Beyond road design and upkeep, residents requested that Measure S includes accountability measures such as a public database of projects and reporting requirements so taxpayers are aware of how funds are spent.

For nearly 40 years, Fresno County’s transportation sales tax has been more than a revenue stream. It’s been the engine for a place with big dreams to get to better places, literally and figuratively.

The half-cent tax, known as Measure C, has expanded freeways, paved roads, and shaped how people move through the Central Valley. It was first approved by voters in 1986, renewed in 2006, and is set to expire in 2027. As leaders work toward a new 30-year extension called Measure S, the conversation has shifted from expansion to stewardship.

Officially known as the Fresno County Transportation Improvement Act, Measure S is a citizen-led ballot initiative that, if passed in November, will extend the existing half-cent transportation sales tax.

Ashley Swearengin, CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF), has been supporting the community’s effort to develop the measure and ensure voters have the opportunity to vote on it in November 2026.  She describes the measure, projected to generate $7.5 billion over 30 years, as the “single largest investment in local neighborhoods and communities in Fresno County.”

It’s an investment that requires comprehensive planning, broad community involvement, and a willingness to envision the transportation investments needed over the next 30 years.  Recognizing the need to extend the existing measure in 2026, the CVCF began planning and supporting the development of a broad community coalition several years ago.

“This is a really big opportunity, and we need to get it right,” Ashley said.

This November, voters will have the opportunity to vote on Measure S, the extension of a half-cent tax that was first approved by voters in 1986.  The tax has helped to expand freeways, pave roads and impact how people move throughout Fresno County.  The current tax is set to expire in 2027.

To do that, local officials and community leaders have organized broad community engagement across Fresno County for what Ashley calls “big picture conversations.” These discussions went beyond a debate about the pros and cons of taxes. They examined where we’re headed and what the region needs. They asked fundamental questions about Fresno County’s future and what healthy transportation looks like. And they prompted the community to think differently about what and who roads are for.

For example, what if we design streets for safety? Right now, most streets are built to move vehicles quickly, but if focus shifts to safety, communities and neighborhoods change for the better. Neighborhoods become places where people feel safe, welcome and connected. Measure S nearly doubles investments in local streets and roads over the next 30 years and requires our pavement condition to be improved and maintained in good condition. 

Beyond road design and upkeep, community members asked for transparency. Measure S includes built-in accountability, a public database of projects, and reporting requirements so taxpayers can track how funds are spent.

In addition to road maintenance and design, Measure S proponents highlight the benefits of a healthy infrastructure such as fewer accidents, quicker emergency response, stronger local economies and safer routes for people who drive, walk, bike and use public transportation.

Proponents of Measure S point to the benefits of healthy roads, including fewer accidents, quicker emergency response, stronger local economies, and better safety for people who drive, walk, bike or rely on public transit.

After four decades, Fresno County’s transportation measure continues to evolve with the community it serves. Measure S is more than an extension. It is a renewed commitment to maintaining, improving and modernizing the infrastructure that keeps the Valley connected.

This story is part of the Central Valley Community Foundation’s “Sixty Stories That Shaped Us” initiative, marking 60 years since our founding. We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone and the special place we call home. To learn more, visit centralvalleycf.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn @centralvalleycf.

Disclaimer: The Central Valley Community Foundation is a financial contributor to the Yes on Measure S campaign.