Citizens and committee members at Wednesday’s Pinole City TAPS meeting urged staff to review signal timing on San Pablo Avenue at John Street and Pinal Valley Road and to address construction-related closures that are affecting school drop-off routes.

“ I would like to request staff to review the timing of the, traffic light signals at both Pinellas Valley Road and John Street on San Pablo Avenue,” resident John Bender told the committee, describing what he called a persistent “green wall of traffic” and higher vehicle speeds. He said the John Street signal had once used detection and then was altered to fixed timing; his measurement found a repeated cycle he described as “40 seconds green and then 10 seconds red.”

Public Works Director El Gindi replied that San Pablo Avenue signals are city-owned but maintained and operated by the county, and any timing changes require coordination. “It’s a city signal. However, the county, maintains and operates all signals within the city of Pinole. So any changes in timing, we would have to coordinate with the county because they’re the ones that apply the, the, the changes into the controller,” she said. El Gindi added that staff will review the timing and contact the county and that she will look into queuing and the right-turn lane backup described by Bender.

Omar Butler, speaking as a resident, told the committee that construction for the APN Village residential development near Pinole Middle School and the Mandarin School has produced lane closures and sidewalk closures that are forcing students to walk in traffic lanes during drop-off and creating long backups. “The construction project that is happening across the street from Pinole Middle and the Mandarin school has created huge traffic issues in that area,” Butler said, asking for closer scrutiny of permitted construction hours and lane-closure plans that affect school arrival times.

El Gindi described staff coordination with the developer, utility companies and the contractor and said much of the sidewalk work has been completed while some segments remain closed because of underground utility work. She said the project includes upgraded signal poles and mast arms and that staff have tried to limit disruptive work to off-peak and summer months but that delivery schedules and coordination have led to remaining closures. She said staff and a public-works specialist have been visiting the site multiple times per week and are directing the contractor to make improvements.

Members of the public also raised enforcement concerns. A caller asked whether the city’s traffic enforcement presence and speed-camera program are adequate; El Gindi said she would relay enforcement concerns to the police chief and noted the city implemented reduced speed limits on Pinal Valley Road and San Pablo Avenue following a consultant study.

Several callers and committee members raised maintenance issues for existing traffic-calming hardware—reflectors, small signs and paint—requesting better repair and replacement. A caller asked whether Caltrans will replace damaged concrete bridge barriers on the Appian Way overcrossing; El Gindi said Caltrans has assessed the structure as deficient and will replace the edge barrier in the southbound direction and widen the sidewalk, and that the work to widen the sidewalk and relocate the barrier is expected to be completed in March 2026. She said the city would publish project information and post updates on its website and social media.

Committee members asked staff to add a specific agenda report on timing changes at San Pablo Avenue and John Street at a future meeting; the chair agreed. Staff also reiterated how residents can submit service requests through the city’s website or mobile app for signage, pavement marking and other maintenance issues.

There were no formal votes on these matters; staff committed to follow up with the county on signal timing, to coordinate with the developer and contractor on construction impacts, and to relay enforcement concerns to the police chief.