Busy Stockton street closed until fall for construction to better increase traffic flow

Beginning Monday, one of Stockton’s busiest roads will shut down and won’t reopen until the fall.The city of Stockton and San Joaquin County are working together to improve the traffic flow through Pershing Avenue between Thornton Road and Meadow Avenue.They will also be adding a space to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.The project will widen Pershing Avenue to include a two-way left-turn lane, sidewalk improvements and buffered bicycle lanes south of Hammer Lane only.Utility upgrades include a new storm drainage system and water supply pipelines.Officials said they know this is an inconvenience to thousands of drivers who will now have to take a detour until October, but they add that these improvements will benefit everyone. “The improvements on Pershing Avenue, we are excited about them because they are going to improve safety out there for the driving community… also provide opportunities for cyclists, and pedestrians to be able to get to their destinations easier,” said Najee Zarif, San Joaquin County deputy director of engineering.Funding for the Pershing Avenue improvements project comes from Measure K, a half-cent sales tax.Construction will take place Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.They don’t have any night work scheduled to limit the disruption for the families on this residential street.Some residents expressed frustration about the closure and the noise expected 12 hours a day for the next five months.