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Measure V report highlights transportation upgrades benefiting Gustine and countywide
gusitne roundabout
The City of Gustine State Route 140 Pedestrian – Bicycle – Motorized Transportation Enhancement Plan consisted of constructing a single lane roundabout on State Route 140/33 at the intersection of Fourth Street and Sixth Avenue on SR-33/140. - photo by Photo Contributed

GUSTINE — The Merced County Association of Governments has released the 2026 edition of On the MoVe, its annual community report detailing how Measure V transportation sales tax dollars were spent across Merced County, including several significant projects in Gustine. The voter‑approved half‑cent sales tax generated $26.7 million in revenue during Fiscal Year 2024‑25 and invested nearly $15 million in transportation improvements countywide. The audited financial statements included in the report show, “total revenue: $26,762,905… total expenditure: $14,984,261.”

Since Measure V took effect in 2017, the program has produced more than $200 million for road repairs, mobility upgrades and public transit. This year’s report highlights dozens of projects completed between July 2024 and June 2025, ranging from street rehabilitation and bridge replacements to sidewalk infill, bicycle infrastructure and intersection improvements. Every incorporated city in Merced County received Measure V funding, along with county‑maintained roads and regional corridors.

Gustine is featured prominently in the West Side Regional Project List, which outlines improvements funded through the regional portion of Measure V. Projects listed for Gustine include airport security fencing, East Side storm drainage improvements, the Highway 33/140 roundabout and Highway 33/140 signalization. These entries appear in the report’s project table, including “Airport Security Fencing — Gustine” and “Hwy. 33/140 Roundabout — Gustine.” The roundabout and signalization work are intended to improve safety and traffic flow at one of the city’s busiest intersections, a key connection point for commuters, agricultural transport and regional travel.

Local sidewalk improvements in Gustine also appear earlier in the report. Photos show work completed on North Avenue sidewalk infill and East Avenue sidewalk upgrades, part of ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian access and safety in residential neighborhoods. These projects are among several small‑scale improvements funded through Measure V’s local allocation, which supports city‑level repairs and upgrades.

Countywide, Measure V supported a wide range of transportation improvements. Examples highlighted in the report include the Lorraine Street Bridge replacement in Dos Palos, Palm Avenue rehabilitation in Merced County, and multiple sidewalk and street repairs in Merced, Livingston and Los Banos. The report also shows $2.3 million spent on alternative transportation modes, including bicycle and pedestrian improvements and investments in zero‑emission transit vehicles.

Public transportation continues to play a major role in countywide mobility. Measure V’s free‑fare program provided 202,019 rides on The Bus’ fixed‑route system last fiscal year. Of those trips, 133,358 were taken by seniors, 63,366 by ADA‑eligible passengers and 5,295 by veterans. The report states that the program “helped residents access employment, medical care, shopping and other essential services.”

MCAG Executive Director Stacie Guzman said the annual report demonstrates the value of the voter‑approved measure. “Every Measure V dollar spent represents an investment that Merced County residents made in their own communities,” Guzman said.

The full 2026 On the MoVe report is available at mcagov.org/onthemove, with free printed copies in English and Spanish at all Merced County city halls and the county administration building.