Campbell might find itself with new pedestrian crossings in the downtown corridors.

At a Jan. 16 meeting, the City Council approved a plan that identifies potential sidewalk, streetscape and pedestrian projects in and around the downtown. The plan was approved 3-2, with councilmembers Liz Gibbons and Susan Landry casting the dissenting votes.

Gibbons voted no because she believes the projects identified in the plan are “not completely thought out” and she didn’t have enough information about each project. Landry said designs for intersections could use some further improvements.

According to Todd Capurso, the city’s public works director, the plan will help Campbell compete for grants to build these projects as they promote housing and employment near transportation.

“The purpose of the project was to develop a transportation improvement plan that would form the basis for Campbell to compete for future funding for infrastructure projects,” Capurso told the council.

The plan was constructed by Community Design + Architecture, and Fehr & Peers Transportation Consultants. In the plan are 14 recommended projects for improved or new crosswalks, bike lanes and lane striping around the city’s downtown. According to the staff report, the cost of these projects could reach upward of $1 million.

“The first three are on Civic Center Drive and they go from Third Street, Second Street and First Street,” Fehr & Peers principal Jane Bierstedt told the council, adding there is also a fourth project along Civic Center Drive. “The purpose of these improvements was to accommodate pedestrians, especially crossing Civic Center Drive.”

Other projects recommended along Orchard City Drive on Third, Second and First streets and Central Avenue include extending curbs to shorten crosswalk distances, reconstructing curbs to meet ADA compliance and installing signage to direct drivers toward parking garages.

Also proposed was adding a crosswalk from the light rail station leading to the downtown. Currently, the striped crosswalk is a few yards away from the station, but pedestrians still cross by the light rail crossing gates.

“There were a couple that seemed more important than others,” said Councilman Jeffrey Cristina, adding that potential projects to bring “convenient” crossings into downtown from the Pruneyard Shopping Center would be beneficial.

Resident Steve Saunders voiced concern that some of the potential projects may increase parking in area neighborhoods.

“All of this looks like this will personally benefit me quite a bit in terms of access to the downtown,” Saunder said. “As you increase the ability to safely cross the loop streets on foot, you also increase the pressure of people parking in the neighborhood because it’s easier to get across those streets.”

To view the transportation improvement plan, visit ci.campbell.ca.us.