For residents traveling along Little Third Street and Little Tippecanoe Avenue, a trip through the neighborhood now means smoother roads, improved sidewalks, better lighting and safer routes for people of all abilities.
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Works recently completed a $4 million improvement project designed to make these neighborhood streets safer, more reliable and more accessible for the people who use them every day.
The project went beyond simply repaving the road. Crews rehabilitated existing pavement and installed new asphalt, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, storm drains and fencing. New and replacement curb ramps were also constructed to meet current design standards and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines. The project also added bike lanes on both sides of the road, providing dedicated space for cyclists and helping make trips through the neighborhood safer and more comfortable.
Together, these improvements create safer options for people walking, biking and driving through the neighborhood, improve access for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, provide better nighttime visibility and help manage stormwater when it rains. They also provide safer routes for children and families walking to nearby Monterey Elementary School, a school that has long been part of the surrounding community.
Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. said hearing directly from residents reinforced the importance of investing in neighborhood infrastructure.
“This $4 million investment is about making sure our residents have the safe, reliable infrastructure they deserve,” said Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. “It was especially rewarding to hear directly from residents about how happy they are with these improvements and the difference they are already making in their neighborhood. I want to thank Congressman Pete Aguilar for securing federal funding for this project and for continuing to be a strong partner in delivering improvements that benefit our families, students and community.”
The project was made possible through a combination of federal Congressional Directed Spending and Measure I Local Streets Program funding for the San Bernardino Valley. Congressman Pete Aguilar secured $2.5 million in federal funding for the improvements in 2023.
“As a father, the safety of children and families is always at the top of my mind,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33). “I am proud to see how the $2.5 million in funding I delivered in 2023 to upgrade the sidewalks and roads on Little Third Street has made our community safer and stronger. This project shows that when we invest in our neighborhoods and infrastructure, we can improve the quality of life. I’ll keep fighting in Congress to deliver more resources so that the hardworking families here in the Inland Empire can thrive.”
By bringing together County, local and federal resources, the project demonstrates how infrastructure investments can make a tangible difference close to home, creating safer connections and a stronger neighborhood for residents today and into the future.