Imperial approves SR‑86 beautification update: $6.6 million project adds sidewalks, bike lane and landscaping
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Summary
City staff presented a $6.6 million SR‑86 beautification project that will add sidewalks, widened streets, a new bike path, median landscaping and flashing beacons along State Route 86. Council heard concerns about plant species choices, long‑term maintenance and a county‑maintained segment that staff says cannot be completed without county aid.
The City of Imperial got an update on the SR‑86 beautification project, a $6.6 million effort to install sidewalks, widen some streets, add a continuous bike path, landscape the SR‑86 median and place flashing beacons at key intersections.
Community Development Director Othon Moore told the council the project will add sidewalks throughout the city, a bike path along Barioni and landscaping from 2nd to 15th Street that includes about 120 new trees and roughly 1,200 shrubs. “This is a collaboration project,” Moore said, noting public‑works and IT contributions for communications and flashing‑beacon systems. He presented a project map, photographs of completed segments and a construction timeline that begins with landscaping and asphalt patching, includes a slurry seal and ends with beacon wiring and integration scheduled for mid‑December.
Why it matters: the project aims to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and to create a more attractive Highway 86 corridor. Staff said the median landscaping and the new turn‑pocket configuration will be accompanied by education and signage so drivers know how to use the new left‑turn and right‑turn pockets.
Council and residents pressed staff on plant selection and maintenance. Moore acknowledged the design firm’s original plant palette included species the city does not want. “There’s a couple species … that are invasive,” Moore said. He said staff will swap fast‑growing or invasive species for more ornamental, drought‑tolerant varieties and reduce the number of trees in constrained medians. Council members also asked about erosion and whether curbing should be added to prevent soil from spilling onto sidewalks and roadways; staff said curbs were deferred because phase 2 of the broader corridor plan would replace them, but they will evaluate remaining budget for targeted curb additions.
Staff also told the council that a portion of the sidewalk on the south side of the corridor lies in county jurisdiction and the city did not receive a county funding response; that segment will remain the county’s responsibility unless the county agrees otherwise.
What’s next: landscaping work and asphalt patching start next week, striping and bike‑lane installations will follow, and the flashing beacon wiring and communications are slated to begin December 17. Staff said it will post instructional materials and use social media and traffic control plans to explain how motorists should use the new turn pockets.
