I-5 commuters get parkway help

Parking at American River lots will be free during road closures.

By Tony Bizjak - tbizjak@sacbee.com

Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B2

Print | E-Mail | | |

Commuters looking to escape some of the congestion during the Interstate 5 freeway closures will be allowed to park, for free, in American River Parkway lots and bike to work.

County officials on Tuesday said they will offer a "Survive I-5 Commuter Pass," good for entry into all county parkway lots weekdays during the June and July freeway closures.

Officials expect Discovery Park near I-5 in South Natomas to be the most popular park-and-bike site.

The parkway bike and recreation trail connects Discovery Park with Old Sacramento to the south and midtown to the east.

The county manages 13 parking lots from the Upper Sunrise Recreation Area to Discovery Park. All are linked by the parkway's bike and recreation trail.

"We felt we should help out," said Jill Ritzman of the county regional parks department. "The parkway is a wonderful resource. Maybe if people enjoy their experience commuting in the parkway, they'll want to continue that practice after the closures."

The regular annual county parks parking pass costs $50.

Officials say commuters who want a free temporary commuter parking pass can call (916) 875-6961 or apply for one by going to www.sacparks.net and clicking on the pass application.

Passes will be valid during weekdays only during the closure period. Non-county residents are also eligible.

County officials said they discourage commuters from using the passes to drive through Discovery Park and over the Jibboom Street bridge to Richards Boulevard.

"There will be a few folks who will do that and not follow the spirit of the pass," Ritzman said.

Commuters who drive over the Jibboom Street bridge are likely to run into heavy congestion at Richards Boulevard with traffic exiting Interstate 5.

The series of freeway closures, on a mile stretch of the freeway in downtown Sacramento, is scheduled to begin sometime after 8 p.m., Friday, May 30.

Workers will do roadbed repairs and replace the drainage system.

Closures and the work will take place around the clock. Northbound lanes will be closed some weeks and southbound lanes closed other weeks.

For information on freeway alternatives, project schedules and other closure information, go to www.sacbee.com/i5 or www.fixi5.com

County officials publish a map of the recreation trail and parking lots at their www.sacparks.net Web site.

About the writer:

Call The Bee's Tony Bizjak, (916) 321-1059.

Recommend this story at Yahoo! Buzz:

The Sacramento Bee Unique content, exceptional value. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Top Jobs

View All Top Jobs

QUICK JOB SEARCH

Enter Keyword(s):
Enter a City:

Select a State:

Select a Category:

I-5 commuters get parkway help

Parking at American River lots will be free during road closures.

By Tony Bizjak - tbizjak@sacbee.com

About the writer:

Most Popular

More Stories in News

THE BIG FIX

Top Jobs

View All Top Jobs