The Oroville City Council voted unanimously to send a letter to Caltrans and the Butte County Association of Governments asking for a focused safety and feasibility study for the Highway 70 segment that crosses the Feather River between Montgomery Street and Grand Avenue.

Vice Mayor Smith and staff framed the action as a public-safety step following a series of serious crashes on the in-town bridge, including a double-fatal collision on a stretch with no shoulder refuge. Council members and public commenters urged that any study include ADA access, pedestrian safety measures and short-term improvements such as better lighting and pedestrian deterrents while long-term engineering work proceeds.

"This is a prudent safety-driven step that also supports emergency access and future development," Vice Mayor Smith said in presenting the item. Council members requested that the letter also call for a multi-agency coordination meeting including Caltrans, BCAG, Butte County CHP and emergency management personnel and suggested including community perspectives.

A public commenter who frequently films crashes urged caution about relying on grant funding but supported better lights and other immediate mitigations. Council discussed potential funding partnerships (including a suggestion to consider state water contractors because the roadway was re-routed for the Oroville Dam project) and asked staff to finalize and send the letter with agreed edits.

The motion to send the letter passed unanimously.

What’s next: Staff will transmit the letter to Caltrans and BCAG and seek a multi-agency meeting to review initial findings and identify near-term safety measures and funding pathways.