Gridley officials discussed proposed sidewalk and safety improvement projects, including gaps near Highway 99 and school routes, during a March 16 workshop and council meeting. Photo by Seti Long

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Infrastructure improvement projects took center stage during both a special workshop and the Gridley City Council’s regular meeting on March 16, as city officials weighed priorities for sidewalks, safety upgrades and long-term grant funding opportunities.

City leaders are now facing a practical question about which projects should move forward first as Gridley competes for limited state and regional funding while balancing staff capacity.

Gridley Principal Planner Christopher Smith presented five proposed projects centered on pedestrian safety, connectivity and access to schools, several of which could be competitive for grant funding through the Active Transportation Program and regional sources, including the Butte County Association of Governments.

The projects reflect both immediate safety needs and longer-term opportunities to secure outside funding, officials said. 

“We’re really looking at priorities right now,” Smith said, noting that preparing grant applications requires significant staff time and resources.

Among the more urgent concerns is a sidewalk gap near the Moose Lodge along Highway 99, where pedestrians currently navigate a high-traffic area without a continuous walkway. The proposed fix would install sidewalk, curb ramps and a crosswalk, though the project depends on coordination with Caltrans and securing right-of-way.

On Cherry Street, the city identified a relatively straightforward sidewalk project that would improve access between residential neighborhoods, parks and nearby businesses. Because of its simplicity, officials indicated it may be one of the more realistic candidates for near-term funding through regional programs.

A larger and more complex proposal along Fairview and East Gridley Road centers on safety improvements near schools. Plans could include filling sidewalk gaps, improving ADA access and addressing traffic flow at a key intersection where students regularly travel.

“You know what’s dangerous about that intersection is that it’s directly east and west and when that sun is coming, it’s blinding,” Mayor Mike Farr said, noting that kids often don’t look before crossing the street. 

City officials said that the Fairview project could qualify for state Active Transportation Program funding, but it will require additional data, public input and engineering work to strengthen its competitiveness.

“One of the things that has been brought to our attention is that when there is parking on both sides, that street is very narrow for through traffic,” City Administrator Elisa Arteaga said.

Smith said not all of the projects carry the same weight. The Central Gridley pedestrian improvement plan, while nearly complete in design, may struggle to compete for grant funding due to limited supporting safety data. Meanwhile, smaller improvements near Wilson School would likely rely on local funding because they fall outside typical grant categories.

Smith also said that while multiple projects could move forward, the city may not have the capacity to pursue all of them at once.

Each project requires varying levels of design work, data collection and coordination with outside agencies, all of which factor into whether an application is likely to succeed.

No formal action was taken, with council members indicating priorities would need to be set before moving projects forward.