The Sacramento County Department of Transportation (SACDOT) has its sights set on a long list of road improvement projects in the 2017-18 fiscal year. With the passage of Senate Bill 1 (SB1), SACDOT was awarded $7.3 million from the State to fund two dozen maintenance, road and bridge rehabilitation, safety and complete street projects throughout the unincorporated area.
SB1, also known as “The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017”, will provide much of the funding through new gas taxes and vehicle fees. While SACDOT will receive $7.3 million to start, this amount will increase in future years. The county expects to receive an average of more than $24 million per year over the next 10 years for future projects.
With the SB 1 funds, SACDOT expects to take a big bite out of the county’s $450 million backlog of roadway maintenance and rehabilitation needs, and a $300 million backlog of pedestrian, bicycle and disability access improvements.
An example of one of the projects slated to receive funding is the Folsom Boulevard Complete Street Improvements, Phase 1 Project. Located on the south side of Folsom Boulevard between Mayhew Road and Bradshaw Road in Sacramento, this project will create additional sidewalk space along Folsom Boulevard between Bradshaw Road and Mayhew Road. Currently, the only existing sidewalk along this segment of Folsom Boulevard is located in front of the Butterfield Light Rail Station. Once completed, the public will experience improved pedestrian safety with better lighting, pedestrian signal upgrades, and functional landscaping.
The Folsom Boulevard Complete Street Improvements Phase 1 Project will directly connect the community to the Butterfield Light Rail Station by providing easier access for transit commuters, along with safety improvements for the residents, schools, and businesses along this important regional corridor.
Other projects include:
- Pavement rehabilitation and rubberized asphalt concrete overlay on 9 arterial streets including Fulton Avenue, Garfield Avenue, Antelope North Road, Eastern Avenue, El Camino Avenue, Marconi Avenue, Gerber Road, Goethe Road and Kiefer Boulevard.
- Sidewalk repair and curb ramp installation in the Fruitridge and Elverta communities.
- Replacement of 4 structurally deficient bridges in South Sacramento County on McKenzie Road and Ione Road, and in the Rio Linda area on Rio Linda Boulevard.
- Installation of complete street improvements including sidewalks, bike lanes and ADA upgrades on Florin Road, Power Inn Road, 44th Street and Hurley Way.
- Installation of new, energy-efficient LED street lights for pedestrian and traffic safety in neighborhoods in the Rosemont and Florin communities.
- Traffic signal upgrades including new technology for enhanced safety, operations, signal coordination, and system monitoring and communications at 71 intersections along 12 arterial street corridors throughout the unincorporated area.
- Ongoing pavement maintenance and repairs county-wide including 24 arterial and collector streets. Some of this work has already been completed.
SB 1 funds will help reverse the continued deterioration of the county’s roadway system. Once completed, these improvements will give travelers a better experience for years to come.
