Foothill Boulevard: A major thoroughfare
& Route 66 historical treasure.
Foothill Boulevard, our own little slice of American pop culture and Route
66 history, is currently undergoing major changes. There are four construction projects occurring
along the thoroughfare and the City Council is certain the boulevard will have a whole new
meaning for Fontana visitors. The reason for the facelift is attributed, in part, to a successful
annexation program by the City of Fontana.
In the last year, the City received the 2007 CALAFCO Government Leadership
Award in appreciation of the Island Annexation Program. A total of 32 islands were annexed.
Fontana was successful at incorporating the new areas and enhanced services by keeping sales
tax revenues within the City. The money was used for road, park, and service improvements
in the newly-annexed areas.
Landscaped medians are becoming more evident throughout Fontana.
One of the final improvements to be completed in the annexation program from
2005 is the Foothill Boulevard Island at Almeria and Tokay Avenues.
The project includes placing a new irrigation system in the median and enhancing
the aesthetic quality of the area with new landscaping. The median will increase the image
of the boulevard by maintaining a consistency with other medians along the same road.
Enhancement of city streets through investment in the city's infrastructure
satisfies all four points of the City Council goals and objectives for streets, sewers, and
parks. The median enhancement project helps the city to maintain and improve existing infrastructure;
provides for the development of new infrastructure; improves the aesthetics of the community;
and, focuses on relief of traffic congestion.
Future annexation includes the area north of Interstate 15, near Coyote Canyon.
The annexation program involved far more than landscaping on Foothill Boulevard.
An ongoing annexation program has been in effect since 2000. During this time, thousands
of people have become Fontana residents while city services continue to satisfactorily serve
the entire population.
In the words of Mayor Mark Nuaimi,
"Promises conveyed are promises kept. What we have been able to do is keep Fontana's revenues
in Fontana."
In annexing the island areas, the City conveyed a promise and has kept its
promise to invest resources in the City's infrastructure, to keep the resources local, and
to include all Fontanans in one community.
The median project is one of a few along Foothill Boulevard to be completed
in 2008. Other projects include the road widening of Foothill Boulevard to a six-lane highway
from East Avenue and Hemlock Avenue. This project will consist of the construction of sewer
systems, irrigation, landscaping, and storm drain infrastructure. The combined total to date
is approximately $18.3 million. Future annexations are being discussed by the City Council.
The area currently under review is on the north side of Interstate 15, near Coyote Canyon
and presently falls under the county's jurisdiction.
To find out more about the Fontana Capital Improvements Program or the Annexation
program, please visit online at www.fontana.org.
