Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
18 issues in roads with medium priority
USPS carrier parking zone on Bogart Avenue
The new affordable housing complex's cluster mailboxes sit on Bogart Avenue, and the mail carrier needs a place to park. A 5-minute zone keeps the spot free for deliveries while preserving overnight neighborhood parking.
Santa Ana River Trail car wash driveway conflict
A driveway crossing the trail near Hicap Avenue injured a cyclist. The board asked staff to look at signage and lower fencing so drivers can see cyclists and pedestrians.
Redwood Drive/University Avenue cut-through traffic
A pilot project cut cut-through traffic on Redwood Drive by about 95%, but drivers shifted to Cedar and other streets. Now neighbors are fighting over which access to restrict next, and the board sent staff back for more analysis.
Timed Bus Zone Revision on Myers Street
A disabled student's bus needs reserved curb space at set hours; with the student moving up to Arlington High, the pickup and drop-off windows need updating.
Smart traffic signals and Vision Zero
Riverside landed $2.5 million in no-match federal-style money to make traffic signals talk to each other with AI-based controllers, plus new controllers citywide. The Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic deaths is in community outreach now.
Linden Street Restriping Pilot
The city wants to convert Linden Street near John W. North High School from four lanes to two, with a center turn lane, bike lanes, and a striped school loading zone. It matches the general plan, cuts crash points, and the road still grades out at the best congestion level even with fewer lanes.
Jobs and commute patterns
New data shows Riverside is a regional leader in people living and working in the same city — 60% of a million daily trips stay internal. The takeaway: adding jobs alone won't cut traffic; housing variety and transit matter more.
Pedestrian safety HAWK signal at Third and Anderson
A new high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) signal was approved for the Third Street/Anderson Avenue intersection for about $318,670.
Traffic Impact Analysis Guidelines (VMT) update
New thresholds mean far fewer projects need detailed traffic analysis under CEQA — single-family jumps from 11 to 79 units, industrial to over 300,000 square feet. Supporters say it speeds housing; a Sierra Club critic says it conflicts with state greenhouse gas goals.
Mission Boulevard bicycle safety concerns
A resident says the new 2-foot center divider on Mission Boulevard leaves no safe route for cyclists coming from Moreno Valley, and a removed left-turn lane is jamming traffic.
School Zone Pedestrian Safety Grant
The city planned to apply for a $9.9 million state grant to build safer crossings, audible push buttons, speed feedback signs, and AI video detection near five schools, plus a separate trail plan grant.
Aging streets in the Arlington area
A Ward 3-area... actually Ward 1/adjacent resident described years of pothole complaints on Phoenix Avenue and cracks on Adams Street; staff said both are scheduled for repaving next fiscal year.
South Main Complete Streets Project
Main Street from Third Street to the 60 freeway will go from four lanes to two with parking, bike lanes, sidewalks, and curb ramps. Design wraps up at the end of this year; construction could start mid-next year.
Overlook Parkway Cut-Through Traffic
A board member flagged increasingly dangerous cut-through traffic on Overlook Parkway, with near-misses involving pedestrians and strollers. The board will look at traffic data when school is back in session.
Senior Transportation Awareness
Commissioner Clarke noticed huge demand for transit flyers at a senior conference and proposed a commission-on-aging transportation workshop at a park or senior center to close the gap between seniors and transit info.
Transportation Board 2026 Work Plan
The board was scheduled to discuss its 2026 work plan — the roadmap for what traffic projects and policies it will tackle this year.
Federal grant for airport-area road improvements
The city was poised to apply for a $7.5 million federal BUILD grant for parking, road, and safety improvements around Riverside Airport — but it would come with about $1.5 million in required local matching funds.
Madison Street traffic pilot opposition
Casa Blanca neighbors lined up against the proposed no-left-turn pilot at Madison/Emerald, saying the diagonal HAWK signal already confuses drivers. Council sent the pilot back to staff to rework with the community.