April 4, 2024

Beautification project in Madera celebrates local artistry with new soundwall on SR99

Caltrans and Madera city officials recently celebrated the installation of a $345,000 project that includes updated landscaping and a newly constructed soundwall along Northbound State Route (SR) 99, showcasing the work of five local artists.

The project was made possible by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative – a sweeping, $1.2 billion, multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs, and join with communities throughout the state to reclaim, transform, and beautify public spaces.

“Funds from the Clean California initiative give Caltrans and communities across the state the opportunity to work together to create unique beautification projects like this one,” said Caltrans District 6 Director Diana Gomez. “This installation not only highlights our talented local artists but also reflects our pride in our community.”

The soundwall – which features five distinct panels created by local artists who were selected by the city and the Madera County Arts Council – was built in the Caltrans right-of-way on the east side of Northbound SR 99 between Olive Avenue and 6th Street in downtown Madera.

“I’m a believer in the power of art, a universal language that everyone understands,” said Madera Mayor Santos Garcia. “We’re excited to partner with Caltrans, local artists, and our community to showcase a small piece of Madera’s vibrant story for commuters traveling along State Route 99.”

Five local artists were chosen from multiple submissions to the Madera County Arts Council. The final art pieces (see below) best represented the rich farming community, natural beauty, and diverse landscape of Madera County. Artists featured include:

– Amy Morgan of Valley Animal Icons
– Andrea Torres of From Dawn to Dusk
– Anne Whitehurst of Westside Sunset
– Patricia Pratt of Central Valley Flora & Fauna
– Daniel Van Gerpen of Full of Promise

Clean California grants have funded 319 projects statewide to revitalize and beautify underserved communities, some of which are already complete and are now sources of community pride. Projects are improving public spaces, tribal lands, parks, neighborhoods, transit centers, walking paths, streets, roadsides, recreation fields, community gathering spots, and places of cultural importance or historical interest in underserved communities.

Since launching Clean California in July 2021, Caltrans and its partners have removed more than 2.3 million cubic yards of litter from state highways, or enough to fill about 700 Olympic-size swimming pools. The program has also created more than 15,000 jobs that have helped many Californians overcome barriers to employment and attracted more than 10,000 volunteers to events ranging from community cleanups to large debris collections of appliances, tires, and mattresses.

Click here to enjoy a video from the event celebrating the completion of the Clean California project. For more information about Clean California, visit CleanCA.com.