Redding City Council Fast-Tracks $4.1 Million Emergency Repairs to Flood-Damaged Tarmac Road
- Elisa Ballard
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
REDDING — On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the Redding City Council unanimously approved an emergency resolution to accelerate permanent repairs to a critically damaged section of Tarmac Road and its underlying storm drain system, which was severely eroded during December’s heavy flooding.
Interim Assistant City Manager Michael Webb told council members that the embankment collapse left the road — the sole access point to the Autumn Glenn subdivision — unstable and at risk of further failure in the next rainy season. The project, estimated at more than $4.1 million, will replace the eroded inlet storm drain and rebuild the embankment using funds from the city’s wastewater reserve account. Officials expect to recover about 75% of the cost through state disaster assistance, though Webb noted there are “no guarantees” about the timing of reimbursement.
“This is a high-priority safety issue,” Webb emphasized. City staff have been coordinating with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, and work is expected to begin within the next couple of weeks to fully restore the road before winter.
Other items addressed at the meeting included a proclamation by Mayor Mike Littau designating April 11 - 18 as the "Week of the Young Child," highlighting the importance of supporting young children's earliest years as critical for brain development. The National Association for the Education of Young Children established this annual observance, and First 5 Shasta is coordinating and sponsoring many events this week for children ages 0 - 5. Visit https://first5shasta.org/uploads/images/WOYC-VIRTUAL-Calendar-2026-vApril1.pdf
to see their schedule of events. Executive Director Wendy Dickens was on hand to deliver a brief speech on the importance of supporting young children during these critical early years.
Also, the City designated April as "Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month". Visit the Shasta County Arts Council's website to learn about local art events, exhibits, performances, and creative workshops. https://www.shastaartscouncil.org/arts-in-the-community
Several citizens spoke during the Public Comment period, including two residents of the Woodlands apartments (off of Polk St), managed by the City, who said that the security gate still needs to be fixed, as there are too many homeless people and drug addicts coming into the complex. They also stated that there was a six-year water intrusion in two apartments that shouldn't be re-rented without tearing out the walls. The cosmetic repairs that were made will continue to put tenants at risk of inhaling toxic mold.
The Council also handled routine business, including unanimous approval of appointments to the City Planning Commission, consent calendar items, and other standard reports. The council members expressed their wish that more people would apply for service on the many commissions and boards serving the City of Redding. These are volunteer positions, and applications can be submitted on the City's website, which will be kept on file for two years. If interested, go to: https://www.cityofredding.gov/government/departments/city_clerk/boards___committees/index.php
The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2026.
