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Residents can expect smoother drives and fewer potholes beginning in 2025 after the Redwood City Council unanimously voted on Monday to greenlight a series of road repairs funded by $2.16 million in Senate Bill 1 funds.
Tanisha Werner, the city’s new engineering and transportation director, presented details of the roadway management system and the strategic use of SB1 funds during the council meeting. Werner said maintaining the city’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI), currently at 71, is essential for cost-effective maintenance.
The projects, funded by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, directly responded to community feedback from recent surveys, highlighting road conditions as a top priority for residents.
The streets identified for resurfacing include major thoroughfares like Broadway, Jefferson Avenue, and Farm Hill Boulevard.
Council members expressed general support for the plan.
Council Member Diane Howard said she hoped that streets in the worst condition would be prioritized for repairs, ensuring that those with a lower PCI, particularly in the 60s, would be addressed more quickly than those in better condition.
Vice Mayor Lissette Espinoza Garnica acknowledged the inclusion of streets within equity priority areas or underserved communities, representing 28% of the proposed projects by mileage.
Council member Alicia Aguirre raised safety concerns, particularly in areas near schools and parks, noting the need for possibly restriping crosswalks and bike lanes.
The budget for the program is set at $5 million, with approximately $2.16 million coming from SB1 funds and the remainder from other sources, including a $2 million allocation from the General Fund.
The city, however, acknowledged that the current budget falls short of the $9.6 million required annually to maintain a PCI of 70 or above across all city streets.
The city has a limited budget, Werner said
“We’re really trying to stretch those dollars as much as possible by going after different grant opportunities and really looking at extending the life of our pavement that’s in good condition,” she said. “Our resources have been slowly declining over the years, with refocusing of our public work services, roadway management team and engineering staff.”
Werner said that resources have been gradually declining, both in terms of funding and staff.
Despite community feedback and expectations, “and there are expectations that are expressed, some of the trade-offs are that we can’t resurface every single road every year. It’s impossible,” Werner added.
Mayor Jeff Gee highlighted the need to find new funding resources to keep up with the growing street repair costs and said the city’s finance committee would play a key role in addressing the challenge in the coming years.
Construction is anticipated to begin in late summer 2025, following the bidding process and the council’s award of contracts. Residents can expect updates as the final street list is refined and specific project details are confirmed.
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