Residents and visitors to Fortuna are now greeted by a new welcome sign at the far north end of Main Street, near the Highway 101 off- and on-ramps.

The groundbreaking for the 100% grant funded Fortuna gateway project was held in October 2024, and a recent ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the competition of the project.

“We are very grateful for the participation from our partners at Caltrans and through the grant funding received from the Clean California program,” Fortuna Public Works Director Brendan Byrd said. “Without both, this project would still be just a vision.”

As drivers enter the city of Fortuna, a sign says, ‘Welcome to FORTUNA, the friendly city,’ and as motorists leave the city, the sign says ‘Thank you for visiting! Drive safely.’

G.R. Sundberg, Inc. was the contractor who transformed two deteriorated concrete median islands, replacing cracked and weedy surfaces with dyed stamped concrete, the welcome sign in the middle, and a rocky dry creek bed design, surrounding the sign. Also included is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant landscaping.

Currently attached to the welcome sign is a fish icon.

“There is going to be a full suite of ornaments to go on, just like the Kenmar (welcome) sign,” Byrd said. “Those are currently being fabricated.”

In a news release, Caltrans District 1 Director Matt Brady said, “The successful competition of a project like this necessitates a community-driven approach, and through collaborative efforts with the City of Fortuna, local partners, and the support of Clean California, this beautification project has become a testament to community spirit.”

The $390,000 project was funded through the Clean California initiative, a $1.2 billion, multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create jobs, and help communities beautify their public spaces.

According to the news release, the Fortuna project is one of more than 300 projects statewide, to revitalize and beautify underserved communities.