Federal grant-funded project will modernize more than 120 traffic signals and expand real-time traffic management capabilities
FOLSOM – Drivers throughout Folsom could see smoother traffic flow, improved signal coordination and faster responses to congestion as the city moves forward with a $5.7 million citywide traffic technology modernization project.
The Folsom City Council on Tuesday approved a $521,438 agreement with Ghirardelli Associates, Inc. to provide construction management services for the city’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Master Plan Implementation Project, clearing the way for construction to begin later this summer.
The action approved by the council was not for the overall project itself, but for the professional services agreement needed to oversee the project’s construction phase. The contract will be funded through federal transportation grants and reimbursed through federal funding sources.
According to a staff report authored by Public Works Director Rebecca Neves, the broader project represents a $5.716 million investment in Folsom’s traffic management infrastructure and will modernize more than 120 traffic signals throughout the city.
The project is designed to expand the capabilities of Folsom’s Traffic Management Center, the city’s centralized system used to monitor traffic conditions, coordinate traffic signals and respond to roadway issues. Once completed, city traffic engineers will have enhanced tools to monitor intersection performance in real time, identify operational issues, adjust signal timing and improve traffic flow across the city’s transportation network.
According to the staff report, project improvements include installation of advanced traffic signal controllers, new closed-circuit television cameras, expansion of fiber-optic communications infrastructure and upgrades to the communications network connecting intersections throughout the city.
The project will also expand signal performance measurement technology that allows traffic engineers to collect and analyze traffic data from intersections across the city. The technology can identify operational problems, monitor traffic patterns and help engineers make timing adjustments based on actual traffic conditions.
The modernization effort will affect signalized intersections throughout Folsom and represents one of the largest citywide traffic technology upgrades undertaken by the city in recent years.
According to Neves’ report, the improvements will provide “advanced traffic management capabilities” and support more efficient operation of the city’s transportation system through enhanced monitoring, communication and signal coordination.
The project has been several years in the making.
In December 2020, the City Council authorized staff to pursue regional and federal transportation funding opportunities. The ITS Master Plan Implementation Project was subsequently selected for funding through the Sacramento Area Council of Governments and the Federal Highway Administration.
Since then, the city has completed project design, secured federal approvals and obtained authorization from Caltrans to proceed with construction.
Construction is currently expected to begin in August and continue into early 2027.
While much of the work will occur within existing traffic signal infrastructure, motorists may encounter intermittent construction activity and traffic control measures at various intersections during the construction period.
The construction management contract approved Tuesday will place Ghirardelli Associates in charge of overseeing all phases of construction, including field inspections, contract administration, materials testing, utility coordination, traffic control inspections and project closeout documentation.
According to the staff report, the use of federal transportation funding requires extensive compliance with Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures, including detailed documentation, certified payroll tracking, materials testing and reimbursement reporting.
The city selected Ghirardelli Associates following a competitive request-for-proposals process. Four firms submitted proposals, with three advancing to interviews before a five-member evaluation panel selected Ghirardelli as the highest-ranked firm.
One of the most significant aspects of the project is its funding structure.
According to the staff report, $4.816 million in Regional Surface Transportation Program funding has already been authorized for construction and construction engineering activities, while previous federal allocations funded project design work. Combined, the project has secured $5.716 million in federal transportation funding.
The city will initially advance project costs through its Transportation Improvement Fund before receiving reimbursement from federal sources. Because Caltrans approved the use of toll credits to satisfy local matching requirements, the project requires no local cash match and will have no impact on the city’s General Fund.
Once completed, the upgraded Intelligent Transportation Systems network is expected to give city staff significantly greater visibility into traffic conditions throughout Folsom while providing improved tools to manage congestion, coordinate signals and maintain the city’s growing transportation infrastructure.
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