City of San Ramon Earns Top Honors in 2026 Local Streets and Roads Project Awards

Also recognized are: San Francisco; the counties of Nevada, Placer, and San Diego; and the cities of Atascadero and West Sacramento

Contact:
Rachael Serrao, California State Association of Counties, (916) 926-8769, rserrao@counties.org
Kayla Sherwood, League of California Cities, (530) 844-1744, ksherwood@calcities.org  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sacramento, CA – The California State Association of Counties (CSAC), League of California Cities (Cal Cities), and County Engineers Association of California (CEAC) are proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Awards. These awards highlight local government projects that demonstrate innovation and cost efficiency while protecting long-term investments in California’s streets, roads, and bridges.

Sponsored by CSAC, Cal Cities, and CEAC, the Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Awards were presented during the Cal Cities Public Works Officers Institute/CEAC Spring Conference on February 25 in Monterey.

“Counties and cities across California lead in delivering sustainable and enduring transportation projects,” said Johannes Hoevertsz, President of CEAC and Sonoma County Public Infrastructure Director. “By applying innovative approaches, local governments are strengthening mobility while protecting the long-term performance of their streets and roads.”

This year’s overall winner, the City of San Ramon, is recognized for its Iron Horse Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing at Bollinger Canyon Road, a transformative project that enhances safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists.

“Throughout California, local governments are leading the way on transportation investments that keep streets safe and communities connected while navigating increased public demands and dwindling financial resources,” said Cal Cities Public Works Department President and Folsom Public Works Director Rebecca Neves. “These award-winning projects reflect the creativity, commitment, and innovation at the city and county level to improve roadway safety, strengthen communities, and help California meet its climate goals under challenging and adverse circumstances. They are an inspiration to us all in the daily pursuit of safe and dependable transportation networks.”

Brief descriptions of the winning projects are included below. Full descriptions of winners and finalists are available on the Save California Streets website.

Overall Winner:
Iron Horse Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing at Bollinger Canyon Road, City of San Ramon

The $29M Iron Horse Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing at Bollinger Canyon Road is a 340-foot, cable-stayed bridge that provides a safe, grade-separated crossing over one of San Ramon’s busiest corridors.  Anchored by 900 feet of MSE wall approaches, it eliminates a previously signaled crossing and completes a link in the 30-mile regional Iron Horse Trail system. The project integrated context-sensitive landscaping with over 7,000 native and drought-tolerant plants and 80 trees along with community gathering spaces enhanced by architectural lighting.

Roads: Efficient and Sustainable Road Maintenance, Construction, and Reconstruction Projects 
El Camino Real Downtown Infrastructure Enhancement Plan, City of Atascadero

The City of Atascadero’s El Camino Real Downtown Infrastructure Enhancement Plan was an efficient and sustainable reconstruction of a nearly 100-year-old historic highway through downtown. This project reduced the number of vehicle lanes, added parking and a more inviting flexible space for events in the street center, provided enhanced bicycle facilities on the road, and promoted safer pedestrian crossings.

Bridges: Efficient and Sustainable Bridge Maintenance, Construction and Reconstruction Projects 
Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project, County of Placer

Placer County’s Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project includes a new bypass segment of State Route 89 with a new bridge crossing the Truckee River downstream of Fanny Bridge along with roundabouts on the east and west ends of a new bypass that has been key to managing traffic during the Fanny Bridge closure. The bridge features widened sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides as well as activated pedestrian crossing signals on both ends; these improvements will provide ADA access to businesses, a transit hub and recreational areas surrounding the project area. 

Complete Streets Projects – TIE   
6th Street Pedestrian Safety Project, City and County of San Francisco

The 6th Street Pedestrian Safety Project aims to transform 6th Street into a multi-modal corridor that improves safety for pedestrians and other vulnerable users of the street. Between Market and Howard streets the improvements along 6th Street include: a reduction in the number of vehicle travel lanes on 6th Street, widening of the sidewalks on both sides of 6th Street, installation of new curb bulb-outs at all intersections, installation of new traffic signals at Stevenson and Natoma Streets and the striping of new crosswalks at all alleys crossing 6th Street, installation of streetscape, and application of new roadway striping at various locations.

Combie Road Multi-Purpose Trail, County of Nevada

The Combie Road multi-purpose trail is a Class 1 concrete trail that stretches ¾ of a mile from Higgins Road to West Hacienda Drive. This trail provides safe, non-vehicular and pedestrian-friendly access for students of three neighboring schools, as well as for residents traveling to nearby Marketplace shopping centers and the new community library. The $1.3M project consists of an ADA-compliant, 8-foot-wide concrete path with 2-foot shoulders, placement of drainage improvements, rock retaining walls, and safety rails.

Safety or Intelligent Transportation System Projects  
HSIP Traffic Safety & Signal Improvement Project, City of West Sacramento

This federally funded effort brings targeted upgrades designed to reduce collisions, improve visibility, and enhance pedestrian access at more than twenty locations throughout the community. Planning was guided by the City’s Systemic Safety Analysis Report, which identified high-risk corridors and intersections. This project improved: Geometric Modification of Approaches at Intersections (4 Locations), Signal Hardware and Safety Improvements at Signalized Intersections (6 Locations), and Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements (10 Locations).

Best Pavement Management Practices
Pavement Management Program – “Road to 70”, County of San Diego

In 2017, San Diego County formalized “Road to 70” an ambitious program to restore their network to Pavement Condition Index (PCI) 70, backed by $70 million annually based on SB-1(Road Repair & Accountability Act) funding. “Road to 70” placed robust Pavement Management Program (PMP) data at the center of their decision process, combining data analytics with engineering expertise and community feedback. From 2017-2025, they invested $500 million and increased network PCI from 61 to 69, reaching 70 by summer 2026. They delivered: 900+ miles resurfaced, 366 culvert improvements, 2,260+ ADA curb ramps, 145 intersection upgrades, 57 traffic signals with video detection, 349 bike lane miles. “Very Good” roads: 39% to 54.7%; “Very Poor”: 9% to 0.6%.

To learn more about the Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Awards and explore previous award-winning projects, please visit the Save California Streets website. 

###