City Council accepted a $900K state safety grant and awarded a $730K construction contract to improve a busy four-way stop.
The unanimous vote directs staff to draft an ordinance banning new warehouse development and limiting future redevelopment.
City Council accepted a $900K state safety grant and awarded a $730K construction contract to improve a busy four-way stop.
REDLANDS, Calif. — A long-planned safety upgrade at the Cypress Avenue and Cajon Street intersection is officially moving ahead after the Redlands City Council voted Tuesday to accept a $900,000 state grant and award a construction contract for a new traffic signal.
Why it matters: The intersection next to Kingsbury Elementary School is currently controlled by a four-way stop, which creates traffic delays and safety concerns for drivers and pedestrians. Replacing it with a modern signal system is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce collision risks and enhance pedestrian crossings.
Details: The Municipal Utilities and Engineering Department applied for the Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 12 grant in 2024. The project was awarded $810,000 in February 2025, with Redlands required to contribute a 10% local match of $90,000, bringing the total cost to $900,000.
To carry out the work, the city issued a construction bid in September and received nine proposals. Sierra Pacific Electrical Contracting submitted the lowest responsive bid at $730,281, edging out competitors by just a few thousand dollars.
The project will replace stop signs with four new mast-arm traffic signal poles outfitted with vehicle signals, pedestrian signal heads, lighting, video radar detection and upgraded striping and concrete work.
Public comment: One resident voiced concern that westbound traffic on Cypress Avenue may speed up once the new signal is installed, noting that there are no traffic-calming measures on Cypress between the intersection and Center Street. The commenter pointed to a recent fatal pedestrian collision near Alvarado Street as evidence that the corridor needs broader safety improvements.
City engineering staff responded that a separate proposal to address safety along that stretch of Cypress Avenue is expected to come before the City Council in December.
Moving forward: Construction is expected to take 85 working days after the notice to proceed and will likely take place during the summer of 2026.
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