PORTERVILLE, CA — The Porterville City Council approved several traffic safety changes along Plano Street this month to protect students and families near local schools.
The city will lower the speed limit from 45 mph to 40 mph on a busy stretch of the road. According to city staff, the lower limit will slow traffic and allow police to resume using radar enforcement. State law requires the city to update its speed study before officers can legally use radar to catch speeders in the area.
In addition to the speed change, the city will install a new all-way stop at the intersection of Plano Street and College Avenue. According to the Sun-Gazette, city officials said the signs will improve safety and keep traffic moving more smoothly at the busy intersection, which is a main route for families at several nearby schools.
City Manager Richard Tree and his staff developed the plan after studying how cars move through the area. This review helped the city identify and fix the most dangerous spots on the road.
The project is expected to be complete by early 2026, when the new signs are installed and the rules take effect. To help drivers adjust, the city will use temporary message boards and extra signs to warn people before the changes begin. Residents should expect to see work crews in the area as the city installs the new signs and marks the road.
The project will be funded by existing safety reserves. This allows the city to improve school zones without touching the general fund, which pays for daily costs like police and fire services.
