Phase 2 of Folsom Lake Crossing median barrier project on deck

After numerous accidents and at least six fatalities since 2016, city officials are moving forward this week with the Folsom Lake Crossing Median Barrier Phase 2 project. The project aims to enhance safety along the segment of the crossing roadway between Folsom Dam Road and Folsom Auburn Road. This corridor is a high-volume traffic arterial route. Phase 1 safety improvements were completed in 2023, including open-grade friction course resurfacing, a three-beam median barrier, dynamic speed warning signs and updated striping. "Despite these efforts, further enhancements are needed to address ongoing safety concerns, particularly regarding head-on collisions, nighttime visibility and turning conflicts at the intersection with Gun Range Road," said Public Works staff in the report. Folsom Lake Crossing opened in 2009 and followed the appropriate safety standards of the time. The bridge road has had a history of accidents, including a high-speed head-on collision in 2016, killing three people. A second triple-fatality head-on collision happened in 2022. Phase 1 improvements were already planned on the bridge before the latter accident, authorities said. The Phase 2 scope analyzes and designs additional roadway safety improvements. That includes new or modified median barriers, enhanced wired and solar lighting, dynamic signage, reduced lane widths and increased delineators, reflectors and "retro-reflective" object markers, staff said. In response to Congressman Kevin Kiley's call for Congressionally directed spending projects, the city of Folsom Public Works Department was awarded $1.04 million in federal funding. To access the federal funds, Folsom must execute a program supplement agreement with Caltrans. The agreement is required before the city can invoice Caltrans for reimbursement. Once executed, the city will initiate the preliminary engineering phase with a request for proposals. This phase includes planning, specifications, estimates, right-of-ways, utility relocation, environmental clearance and more public engagement. The city must by law provide an 11.47 percent local match, or $134,743 for a total funding amount of $1,174,743, staff said. Sufficient Folsom matching funds are available. During the design phase, an estimate will be done to determine the actual costs of the project, staff said. These combined funding sources will likely fully fund the engineering phase and possibly the construction phase, according to the report. The Folsom City Council approved the Caltrans agreement Tuesday evening during the non-controversial consent agenda.