{"id":1017985,"date":"2026-08-22T23:29:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T23:29:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1017985\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T23:29:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T23:29:17","slug":"new-costco-sparks-panic-among-bakersfield-neighbors-im-worried-about-the-traffic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1017985\/","title":{"rendered":"New Costco sparks panic among Bakersfield neighbors: \u2018I’m worried about the traffic’"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Costco, gas station and lineup of restaurants could soon turn a quiet Bakersfield-area neighborhood<\/a> into a major shopping destination \u2014 and neighbors are already bracing for the crowds.<\/p>\n

Tammy York, who lives directly across from the proposed development in Gossamer Grove, initially welcomed the idea of having a Costco and gas station practically in her backyard<\/a>. But she said the prospect of a flood of shoppers has her worried about traffic at an intersection she believes is already jammed.<\/p>\n

A proposed Costco development, along with a gas station and restaurants, is raising concerns among local residents about traffic and crime in Bakersfield. 23ABC<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just worried about the crime, and I\u2019m worried about the traffic. That\u2019s my main concerns,\u201d York said. 23ABC<\/p>\n

\u201cCommunity Drive is already packed all the way back at 8 o\u2019clock in the morning. I think the traffic is just gonna be the worst part of it,\u201d York told KERO-TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The project is proposed near Seventh Standard Road and Calloway Drive and could bring a Costco, gas station and several restaurants to the rapidly growing neighborhood.<\/p>\n

York said she has already witnessed multiple crashes at the intersection and worries the new development could also bring more crime.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just worried about the crime, and I\u2019m worried about the traffic. That\u2019s my main concerns,\u201d York said.<\/p>\n

Still, the prospect of having a Costco and gas station so close to home has plenty of appeal.<\/p>\n

York said she currently drives about seven miles to Rosedale to fill up, partly because nearby Chevron stations charge higher prices.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Her husband, Mike York, said the couple moved to Gossamer Grove in 2020 in part because of its separation from the rest of Bakersfield.<\/p>\n

But the neighborhood has grown considerably since then, and he acknowledged that a development of this size was bound to follow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was initially kind of excited. And, you know, one of the main reasons was gas station \u2014 because it\u2019d be nice to just hook up my trailer, pop across the street, get gas and be on my merry way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

A proposed Costco development, along with a gas station and restaurants, is also raising concerns about crime, particularly that tied to homeless people. 23ABC<\/p>\n

He nevertheless shares his wife\u2019s concerns about crime, telling KERO-TV he worries a major shopping center could attract homeless people and lead to more theft, which he said is already a problem in the area.<\/p>\n

The biggest question now may be whether the neighborhood can handle the traffic that comes with becoming a shopping hub.<\/p>\n

Developer Jim Halferty says the answer is yes \u2014 because the project comes with a major road overhaul.<\/p>\n

Halferty told KERO-TV that all of the road improvements would be finished before Costco and the other businesses open.
Carlin Stiehl for CA Post<\/p>\n

Plans call for the southern half of Seventh Standard Road to be expanded to six-lane expressway standards, along with an auxiliary lane for right turns and vehicle acceleration and deceleration. A 30-foot landscaped parkway would also be added.<\/p>\n

Calloway Drive would be upgraded to arterial roadway standards, with three lanes in each direction and a fully improved intersection at Seventh Standard Road.<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/strong><\/p>\n

California Post News<\/strong>: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports<\/strong> Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post <\/strong>Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters<\/strong>: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App<\/strong>: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery<\/strong>: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood<\/strong>: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

The biggest question now may be whether the neighborhood can handle the traffic that comes with becoming a shopping hub.<\/p>\n

The development would have five access points: two along Seventh Standard Road restricted to right-in and right-out traffic, and three along Calloway Drive with dedicated right-turn lanes.<\/p>\n

The central Calloway Drive entrance would serve as the main entrance and get a new traffic signal.<\/p>\n

The development would have five access points: two along Seventh Standard Road limited to right-in and right-out traffic, and three along Calloway Drive with dedicated right-turn lanes. The central entrance on Calloway Drive would serve as the development\u2019s main access point and include a new traffic signal.<\/p>\n

Halferty told KERO-TV that all of the road improvements would be finished before Costco and the other businesses open.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t