In 1986, Fresno County voters approved a half-cent sales tax called Measure C to fund transportation projects. It was expected to raise $696.7 million over 20 years. The Fresno County Transportation Authority was put in charge of managing the funds.

At least 25% of the money (about $174.2 million) went directly to cities and the county for local transportation work. How much each area got depended on how many people lived there and how many streets they had. Funds were given out right away, and yearly audits were done to make sure the money was used correctly.

The rest of the money—about $522.5 million—was combined with other funds to pay for highway projects across the county. No more than 70% of this money could go to urban areas, and at least 30% had to go to rural areas.

The Council of Fresno County Governments (Fresno COG) is the Regional Transportation Planning Agency. They prepared and updated the Measure C Expenditure Plan. The first plan was adopted in 1988 and was updated every two years. However, updates paused between 2004 and 2007 because of work on the 2006 Extension Expenditure Plan.

Image description

The promises of Measure C, delivered. 1987-2007. Urban Highway Construction Program. Rural Highway Construction Program. Approximately 75% of the proceeds of the Measure C tax was allocated for highway capital improvements, including administration, legal actions, planning, environmental review, design, construction, and repairs. Approximately 70% of these funds were allocated to improvements within the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area, and approximately 30% of these funds were allocated for improvements with the rest of the County. The image includes two maps: one for urban projects within the Fresno-Clovis area and another for rural projects across the county. A legend lists the mileage and types of improvements made.