Pinole is moving away from reactive repairs and launching a new strategy that divides the city into five maintenance zones.
Public Works Director Heba El-Guindy shared the details during a Jan. 22 town hall meeting, explaining that this five-year plan ensures every neighborhood receives regular, scheduled attention rather than waiting for residents to report problems.
Crews will rotate through these zones to handle routine tasks like filling potholes, fixing streetlights, and replacing old signs. Work has already started in Zone 1, and the city plans to repaint road markings there once the weather warms up in May.
The proactive plan accompanies the city’s embarkment on a $3 million construction project for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The plan targets 1.65 miles of major roads including Pinole Valley Road, Shea Drive, and Marlesta Road. Funded mostly by SB-1 gas tax money, the project will use either fresh sealants or a full “grind-and-overlay” paving method to fix these streets depending on their current condition. The city expects to hire a contractor in April and start construction in May or June.
Safety upgrades are also a major part of the upcoming work. The city will install at least 26 ADA-compliant curb ramps and three flat-top speed humps to protect people at busy crosswalks. Based on feedback from the town hall, officials are also applying for grants to add specialized pedestrian signals on San Pablo Avenue to help seniors living at the new Vista Woods complex. These improvements include better paths for cyclists as part of the city’s updated bike safety goals.
To make sure the work lasts, the city is hiring independent inspectors to check construction daily and requiring a one-year warranty on all repairs. Officials are also coordinating with utility companies like PG&E and EBMUD to make sure pipes and wires are fixed before the new pavement goes down. This coordination aims to prevent new roads from being dug up shortly after they are finished.
Further details on the road plan can be found here.
