Downtown Bakersfield Sidewalks Left Temporary for Businesses

Temporary wooden sidewalks with handrails and ramps have replaced removed sidewalks on H Street while downtown construction continues.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Wooden plank walkway with metal handrails and a ramp runs beside a muddy, dirt-lined street under hazy late-afternoon light. — Temporary wooden sidewalks with handrails and ramps replaced removed sidewalks on H Street between 27th and 30th streets as Bakersfield's downtown construction continues. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Temporary wooden sidewalks with handrails and ramps were built on H Street between 27th and 30th streets during ongoing downtown construction in Bakersfield. Businesses on 18th and 19th streets have been left with mud and dirt sidewalks as the revamp of the central corridor continues.

Why it matters

The city says it must maintain business access during construction under the Americans With Disabilities Act, and pedestrians and customers with disabilities have faced tripping hazards and blocked entry. The finish date of the downtown project has been delayed repeatedly, extending the disruption for local businesses.

Sidewalks were removed and replaced along a four-block stretch of H Street between 27th and 30th streets, while cemented sidewalks on 18th and 19th streets are covered in mud and dirt. The downtown construction finish date has been delayed repeatedly, and no new completion date was given.

The players

City of Bakersfield

The city of Bakersfield, California, is overseeing the downtown construction revamp and states it must maintain business access under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Griffin and Sons

Griffin and Sons is a pawn shop located at L and 19th streets in downtown Bakersfield that was affected by the sidewalk conditions.

The details

Sidewalks on H Street were removed before temporary wooden sidewalks with handrails and ramps were installed. A city spokesperson said the built-up sidewalks reflect different contractors using different tools and disposal methods, and that contractors are required to provide conveyance during work.

A few weeks before publication: Sidewalks on 18th and 19th streets were covered in mud and dirt.
Ongoing as of November 7, 2026: Downtown construction revamp remains underway with a delayed finish date.

Openings & Closings Context

Under the Americans With Disabilities Act, cities must keep pedestrian routes and business entrances accessible during public construction projects. The Bakersfield downtown revamp illustrates how prolonged work on the central corridor can strain those requirements for businesses on H Street and nearby blocks.

Customers and pedestrians near H Street between 27th and 30th streets should expect temporary wooden walkways with handrails and ramps instead of standard sidewalks. Shoppers visiting businesses on 18th and 19th streets may need to navigate mud and dirt until those sidewalks are restored.

The takeaway

Businesses and shoppers in downtown Bakersfield should plan extra time and allow for uneven walking surfaces while the central corridor revamp continues. Checking current construction notices before visiting can help avoid blocked or muddy access routes.