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Residents press city to speed Belleview road safety work; staff cites $3.2M grant and right‑of‑way limits
Summary
Residents urged faster action after fatal and near‑miss incidents on Belleview Road; staff said UC Merced and partners secured a $3.2 million grant for temporary bike/ped improvements and that a permanent separated path will depend on future right‑of‑way dedications tied to development.
Maline Jeang, a resident of District 6, told the Merced City town hall that the stretch of Belleview Road connecting G Street to Lake Road is “very dangerous” for pedestrians and cyclists and asked, “what are we waiting for?” Jeang cited frequent crashes, heavy freight traffic and a 2021 fatality as reasons the city should accelerate safety work.
City Manager Scott McBride responded that UC Merced and its partners have leveraged funding — including a $3.2 million grant with MCAG local match — to build temporary separated bike and pedestrian improvements in 2026–27, while noting permanent solutions require additional right‑of‑way that will arrive only as development dedicates land. “We’re planning to include this in your budget request for next year to have the local resources for this to work,” McBride said.
Council members and staff described a two‑stage approach: a near‑term, grant‑funded project that will provide a separated pedestrian/bicycle corridor within constrained roadway widths and a long‑term build‑out tied to annexation and property dedications by developers. Staff said the permanent separated path would be possible once developers dedicate additional right‑of‑way and when annexation and funding timelines align.
Council members suggested making Belleview a regional priority to secure Measure V or other local match funds and said staff should pursue early agreements with major parcel owners along Belleview who could dedicate right‑of‑way now. One council member noted some land along the south side is held by two major developers and suggested staff approach those owners to request early dedication to accelerate construction.
Why it matters: Belleview is a key connection for UC Merced students and growing South Merced neighborhoods. The temporary grant will provide earlier, limited separation for nonmotorized users, but a true long‑term separated bike path depends on development, additional funding and multiagency coordination. The council and staff urged residents to keep the project a visible regional priority as budget and annexation steps proceed.
What’s next: Staff said they will include the local match request in next year’s budget materials and continue coordinating with UC Merced and MCAG to activate the $3.2 million grant. Council and staff suggested outreach to major property owners for potential early right‑of‑way dedication.
