Shaw Avenue in Fresno Closes for High-Speed Rail Work

News Summary

Residents and commuters in Fresno should brace for nightly closures of Shaw Avenue as construction for the California High-Speed Rail project gets underway. Starting this week, Shaw Avenue will be fully closed in both directions between Blythe and Cornelia avenues from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until early October. Motorists must utilize detours to navigate around the closed area. This infrastructure project aims to enhance connectivity within California, despite causing disruptions to the local business landscape during the construction phase.

Shaw Avenue in Fresno to Experience Nightly Closures for High-Speed Rail Construction Until October 3rd

Fresno residents and commuters should prepare for nightly disruptions on Shaw Avenue, where full closures in both directions will be in effect starting Monday night until early October. The California High-Speed Rail Authority is conducting construction work, necessitating these closures to facilitate ongoing development of the high-speed rail project in the region.

Details of the Closure

Beginning Monday night, Shaw Avenue will be completely closed to all traffic between Blythe and Cornelia avenues. The closures will last nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and are scheduled to continue through Friday, October 3rd. During this period, drivers are advised to utilize detours and alternate routes to reach their destinations. Detailed information about the recommended detours and alternative roads has been made available to help motorists plan their travel accordingly.

Construction Purpose and Impact

The nightly closures are part of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s efforts to build the high-speed rail system connecting Fresno to other parts of California. The construction activity involves significant infrastructure work, which requires the complete closure of Shaw Avenue during late-night hours to minimize impact on daytime traffic.

Recent Closures of Local Businesses and Changes in Fresno

Fresno has seen a notable number of local business closures and changes over the summer of 2025, reflecting shifts within the city’s retail and dining scenes.

Recent Business Closures in Fresno

• One of the notable closures is the local NY Bagelry, located at Shaw and Marks avenues, which shut down its storefront due to lease expiration. However, the company continues to operate at three other locations within the region.
• The Japanese restaurant KuniSama, situated at Herndon and Willow avenues, closed without any public statement from its owners. No further reason was provided for its shutdown.
• Round Table Pizza near Shaw and West avenues announced its permanent closure, citing unspecified reasons for this decision.
• George’s Shish Kebab, a downtown Fresno staple for 43 years, closed due to health concerns voiced by the owner. The closure marks the end of an era at that longstanding establishment.
• Two KFC outlets, one near First Street and Bullard Avenue and another near Dakota and West avenues, also closed permanently, with no particular reasons shared publicly.
• Straw Hat Pizza at 80 W. Shaw Ave., along with the adjacent arcade, recently closed. Plans are underway for a new restaurant, Dosan A Social Eatery, to open in the same location, signaling a change in that area’s dining options.
• The Arby’s franchise at Ashlan and Cedar avenues has shut down, leaving only one remaining location of the chain within Fresno.
• All Rite Aid stores in Fresno have closed as the pharmacy chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, affecting access to drugstore services in the city.

Other Business and Facility Changes

• A vintage boutique known for selling goods from Neighborhood Thrift has closed its doors. However, the company’s two other stores continue to operate, serving the local community.
• Sunnyside Bicycles, a bike shop that opened in 2010, has also closed its Fresno location. The business has merged operations with another store, consolidating their services.
• Mitsui Buffet in Clovis has announced a temporary closure for remodeling. There are indications that the closure could be permanent, as health permit issues have been cited as a potential concern.
• A historic roadside hamburger and ice cream stand located in Coarsegold has shut down due to lease disputes. Despite the closure, the owners plan to continue serving customers via a food truck.

Emergency Response and Local Incidents

During the construction period, Fresno Fire Department responded to an incident involving a commercial vehicle fire on Shaw Avenue. The fire involved a garbage truck whose driver noticed flames in the load. The driver safely disposed of the load onto Shaw Avenue before firefighters arrived. Crews responded to the scene, where piles of trash were visible, and clean-up operations temporarily blocked lanes for safety and extinguishing efforts.

Summary

The ongoing nightly closures on Shaw Avenue mark a significant phase in Fresno’s infrastructure development, specifically for the California High-Speed Rail project. Residents and commuters are encouraged to plan ahead, consult detour information, and allow extra travel time during this period. At the same time, the city continues to experience notable changes in its business landscape, with numerous closures and planned new openings, reflecting a period of transition for Fresno’s local economy.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

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

Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER

RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.