City staff updated the Public Works Advisory Committee on Jan. 9 on a set of capital projects, including ARPA-funded street overlays, federally funded Active Transportation Program projects, CDBG sidewalk work in low-income-eligible tracks, and major bridge and grade-separation projects managed in coordination with Riverside County.

Staff said the city used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds—council allocated a major portion of ARPA money to street repairs—to fund an overlay program that required construction contracts to be awarded by December 2024. Staff reported the city has awarded contracts for multiple corridor overlays and expects construction to begin in the coming months. Major corridors cited include Van Buren, Mission, Pacific Avenue (in phases), Holmes Avenue, and Atwanda Avenue. Staff said one large coordination project (a grade separation) is managed by the county on the city’s behalf because the county previously initiated the work; that project was delayed for reasons including coordination with Union Pacific Railroad and is now anticipated to be completed in 2026.

Staff described three ATP (Active Transportation Program) projects around schools—Granite Hill, Miraloma/Avalon/Belton and Agate—that are under design and expected to receive construction awards within 60–90 days after plan approvals. The city is also running CDBG-funded sidewalk and ramp work in HUD-designated tracks (staff said the city receives roughly $400,000 annually in CDBG funds and combines funds across years for larger deliveries).

Staff said other major projects in planning and design include Mission Street bridge replacement and Market Street bridge work; the Mission Street bridge was singled out as a high-priority replacement with an estimated project cost staff described in the meeting as on the order of $50 million to $60 million. Staff said traffic-signal upgrades are in the pipeline as a larger multi-year program tied to available funding and grant matches; the city has roughly 100 traffic signals, many of which are aging and need upgrades, and staff plans an inventory of controllers and backup-power capability.

Operational points: staff and contractors are replacing trees (staff reported replacing roughly 75 trees since launching a program), installing cameras to deter illegal dumping (about 80 cameras installed with roughly 20 additional cameras planned), and continuing bulky-item pickup events; public works staff said illegal dumping remains the largest service request category. Staff also described coordination and constraints with utility providers regarding an existing utility pole that prevents removal of temporary barricades on Mission Street.

Ending: Staff said the overlay construction and other projects will proceed over the next months and years depending on materials and scheduling; staff will return with more detailed schedules as contracts move into construction.