Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
19 issues in roads with high priority
Measure Z street repair funding
Measure Z dollars fix aging park facilities, but the allocation is being cut from $3.5 million to $2 million a year, pausing planned repairs.
Poplar Avenue parking near Main Street project
Commissioners flagged dangerous speeding on Main Street where the tap room sits. A grant-funded 'safe streets' project would cut lanes from four to two, add median parking, crosswalks and bike lanes — construction expected summer 2027.
Rail Crossing Improvements at Palm and Brockton
Nearly $912,000 in gas tax and Measure A money was slated for street improvements at the Palm and Brockton avenue rail crossings in Ward 3.
Speed humps requested on Muirfield Road
Residents say speeders, construction trucks, and a hillside curve make the road dangerous for walkers, cyclists, and a resident in a wheelchair. The board overrode staff's denial and sent the humps to Council.
HAWK Signal at Madison & Emerald
Casa Blanca residents say the pedestrian-activated HAWK signal confuses drivers and has caused near-misses near a church, library, and senior community. The council chose to repay Caltrans and revert to a four-way stop.
Arterial and minor street maintenance paving contract
The council awarded a $7.677 million contract to repave major corridors including Day Street, Brockton Avenue, Wood Road, La Sierra Avenue and Washington Street, plus 2.7 miles of neighborhood streets and 132 bollards to keep vehicles off Main Street pedestrian areas.
Redwood Drive Northbound Lane Closure and Pedestrian/Bicycle Zone
Fairmount Park's Redwood Drive northbound lane could close long-term and convert to a pedestrian and bicycle zone, changing how visitors access the park. The Board was scheduled to review traffic studies, survey results, and community feedback on the proposal.
Two-Way Traffic Circulation on Redwood Drive and University Avenue
The Redwood Drive two-way circulation pilot between University Avenue and Ninth Street is moving forward, and the Board was scheduled to weigh interim traffic options — including making part of University Avenue one-way eastbound or temporarily closing a section at Redwood Drive.
Citywide Street Preservation Program
About 11.6 miles of Riverside streets were slated for slurry and cape seal treatment plus new pavement markings under a $1.9 million contract. This is the annual pavement maintenance that keeps roads from deteriorating into costlier repairs.
Third Street Grade Separation funding
The council accepted $40 million in federal, state, and earmark grants to build the Third Street grade separation, a major rail-safety and traffic project affecting Wards 1 and 2.
Third Street and Anderson Avenue pedestrian signal
A new HAWK pedestrian crossing signal at Third Street and Anderson Avenue was on the agenda for about $318,670, aimed at making that intersection safer to cross.
Street paving program for 2026-27
Public Works was scheduled to present an overview of the Pavement Management Program and propose which streets get paved in the coming fiscal year — a direct quality-of-life issue for drivers.
Traffic safety at Mary Street and Frances Street
Multiple residents described drivers routinely running the four-way stop near the proposed project, including parents walking kids to school, and asked the city to act. Commissioner Mooney suggested traffic calming such as a signal be studied as new homes are built.
Pedestrian crossing and median break at La Sierra and Alhambra
The commission added a high-visibility crosswalk condition and a median break at the project entry, but a full traffic signal wasn't legally warranted — the intersection goes on the city's signal priority list instead. Residents warned about middle schoolers crossing busy La Sierra.
Free senior and disability transportation program (Access for All)
Butterfly Technologies is offering subsidized rides for seniors and people with disabilities in Riverside, Corona, and Moreno Valley under a state grant. Rides are normally $2 but free in June and July with a promo code, covering a 12-mile radius with same-day scheduling and free caregiver rides.
Citywide Speed Limit Reduction
The council adopted a citywide speed limit reduction ordinance in May — about 20% of speed limits will drop by 5 or 10 mph in safety corridors, and 36 new speed limits are being set. Look for new signs, a public awareness campaign, and targeted police enforcement.
Brockton Avenue Railroad Quiet Zone eminent domain
The city was scheduled to consider using eminent domain to secure easements on private property for a railroad quiet zone project between Brockton Avenue and Palm Avenue. A quiet zone would reduce train horn noise at crossings, but the property owner refused the city's statutory offer, setting up possible court proceedings.
New 25 MPH Speed Limits
An ordinance was set for introduction to lower speed limits to 25 mph on First Street downtown and on the Victoria Avenue frontage road.
Mission Boulevard Bridge improvements funding
An amendment would add nearly $4 million from Measure A funds to the bridge replacement project at the Santa Ana River, bringing the total to about $5.2 million shared with the County and Jurupa Valley.