Oakdale city officials and community members gathered this past week to mark the groundbreaking of the Southwest Downtown revitalization project, a $5.6 million investment aimed at improving both road conditions and pedestrian safety.

The project, approved previously by the Oakdale City Council, will upgrade key driving routes in the city, including First, Second, and Third avenues, after decades of deterioration, with funding sourced from Measure L, CDBG – Community Development Block Grant – funds, and federal grants.

Mayor Cherilyn Bairos and city leaders emphasized the project’s long-term benefits, including safer routes to school and upgraded infrastructure. Construction is set to begin in early spring and will take approximately nine months. And while residents will spend a lot of time detouring around the work zones, officials said they are confident the end result will be worth the temporary inconvenience, as the improvements will benefit the city for years to come.