Folsom road construction projects aim to reduce fatalities and increase traffic flow
The city of Folsom recently completed and continues to work on road construction.
The Scott Road extension project is completed, the city announced in its newsletter to residents. It connects Scott Road to the Prairie City Road and White Rock Road intersection and adds a new roundabout at the Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area.
“The roundabout is an efficient method to move traffic with minimal maintenance needs,” said Brian Reed, an engineering manager with the city, via email. “During large events at the state recreational vehicle park the roundabout will move the (queue) within the park quickly and still allow Scott Road traffic with minimized wait times.”
The new Scott Road is part of the new Folsom segment of the Capital Southeast Connector expressway, the 34-mile roadway that will connect Interstate 5 in Elk Grove to Highway 50 in El Dorado County, according to the news release.
Reed said that connector staff and city workers look to obtain funding for design of the extension of the connector from East Bidwell to the El Dorado County Line, and that future connector projects involved with the Folsom segment include an Oak Avenue portion anticipated to be completed in fall 2023.
Improvements at Folsom Lake Crossing and East Natoma Street
A traffic-improvement project at Folsom Lake Crossing and East Natoma Street — designed to improve safety, reduce accidents and fatalities and increase mobility — is set to begin in April after the plans are completed this month, according to Ryan Chance, a senior civil engineer with the city.
Chance said that using data from the city’s local road safety plan, which systematically identifies and analyzes roadway safety concerns and recommends improvements, the city successfully obtained a State Highway Safety Improvement Program grant to install median barriers, radar feedback signs and segment reflectivity.
The city also plans to resurface a portion of the streets with a pavement treatment that aims to improve surface drainage and tire traction, the city said.
According to crash data provided by the city between 2015 and 2019, East Natoma Street between Folsom Lake Crossing and Gionata Way has reported a higher volume of accident statistics than Folsom Lake Crossing with one crash resulting in severe injury, one crash involving other visible injury, four crashes resulting in complaints of pain, and five crashes involving property damage.
Folsom Lake Crossing between Folsom Dam Road and the Johnny Cash Trail entrance reported one fatal crash, two other crashes with visible injuries and one accident involving property damage.
Folsom Auburn Road between Pinebrook Drive and Folsom Dam Road is also part of the construction, Chance said, with more signage and reflectors being added to the roadway that reported one crash resulting in severe injury, seven crashes with other visible injuries, 10 crashes with complaints of pain and 14 accidents involving property damage.
Folsom Lake Crossing opened to the public on March 28, 2009, according to Chance. He said issues with traffic crossing the centerline did not manifest themselves for several years after completion.
“It’s critical that a project of this nature be adequately reviewed for compliance with the (State Highway Safety Improvement Program) guidelines, meets City expectations and ultimately will aid in reducing traffic accidents,” Chance said.