17 Apr Pittsburg to Improve Problematic Thoroughfare

(Image courtesy of the city of Pittsburg via Bay City News)

By Aly Brown
Bay City News

The Pittsburg City Council on Monday awarded a half million-dollar contract to a general engineering contractor to complete safety improvements along Crestview Drive.

At $508,929, RK Engineering Inc. of San Francisco was the lowest responsive bidder to the city’s March request for bids to address issues with the city’s longest and most traveled roadway.

The project will include new pavement markings, raised medians and pedestrian crossing improvements at six intersections where Crestview meets Nina Place, Alta Vista Circle, Kingsberry Place, Atherton Avenue, William Way and Crestview Lane.

Grants and tax-generated road repair funds are expected to fully cover the project’s estimated cost of $830,000.

“Over the past several years, the City Council has prioritized the use of grants and funds allocated to roadway projects to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety,” said Pittsburg Mayor Juan Antonio Banales.

Specifically, the improvements are being funded through Caltrans’ Highway Safety Improvement Program grant, Senate Bill 1’s Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account funds, the city’s Highway Users Tax Allocation, and federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

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The city has recognized the Crestview corridor as problematic, with speeding cars spinning “donuts” within the wide intersections. In 2021, Pittsburg installed several temporary medians and a temporary traffic circle. The Pittsburg Police Department also increased enforcement in the area.

“The need to address traffic issues along Crestview has been at the forefront of this council’s agenda for several years,” Banales said. “The previous actions the city has taken to curb speeding and other illegal activity have made a difference, and we are excited to (take) another step to further improve this roadway for Pittsburg residents.”

John Samuelson, Pittsburg public works director and city engineer, said improving Crestview is a key project within the city’s Capital Improvement Program.

“Not only will these improvements help drivers operate their vehicles in compliance with traffic laws, but (they) will also help to provide a roadway that can better meet the needs of all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists, consistent with the city’s Active Transportation Plan,” Samuelson said.

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