Officials from the City of Folsom are inviting residents to attend a Community Workshop for the future Folsom Boulevard Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing project
This will be the second workshop on the project as part of the ongoing feasibility study. The public workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Folsom Community Center. Attendees can register for the event at: bit.ly/FolsomOCWorkshop.
Earlier this year, the City of Folsom shared details on its proposed plans for a new overcrossing to make crossing Folsom Boulevard safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
As part of the project, the city launched a feasibility study, part of which requested input from the public though an online survey regarding several alternatives for the project that will consist of a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge that will span Folsom Boulevard between Blue Ravine Road and Glenn Drive to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and close a gap in the Humbug-Willow Creek Trail system.
The City was previously awarded an American Rescue Plan Act grant to fund the study, to identify the preferred alignment location and a conceptual architectural design of the bridge.
Using those Parks and Recreation Department American Rescue Plan Act funds, which were awarded in the amount of $200,000, the city hired a contractor to study the feasibility of a pedestrian and bicycle overpassing ahead of the Caltrans Active Transportation Program grant cycle in 2024.
“Our goal with this feasibility study is to work with the community in identifying a safe, convenient, and cost-effective connection across one of the most vehicle-heavy roads in Folsom,” said Brett Bollinger, Senior Trails Planner and Project Manager. “An overcrossing is needed to provide better links to already existing transit, nearby businesses and neighborhoods, and recreation attractions in the area.”
The four alternatives cross Folsom Boulevard at different segments between Glenn Drive and Blue Ravine Road. One segment will be selected upon completion of the study and public workshops.
Each option, illustrated below, has power lines and infrastructure in place to take into consideration as well trees, creeks and encroachments into State Park areas and will require a number of special permits to perform the work. It is estimated the project will costs approximately $10M to complete.
The Folsom Community Center is located next to Folsom City Hall at 52 Natoma Street. For more information on the workshop and to register visit: bit.ly/FolsomOCWorkshop.
Alternative 1 begins across the street from the SacRT Glenn Drive Station and runs parallel to the Folsom Parkway Rail Trail. The bridge then crosses over Folsom Boulevard and touches down on the west side of the street near the historic olive grove. This alternative connects to the State Parks parking lot and South Lake Natoma Multiuse trailhead.
Alternative 2 connects directly to the SacRT Glenn Drive Station and to the Folsom Parkway Rail Trail. The Alternative 2 crossing touches down on the west side of Folsom Boulevard in the historic eucalyptus grove and directly connects to the Parkshore Drive/Folsom Boulevard intersection and the State Parks parking lot and South Lake Natoma Multiuse trailhead.
Alternative 3 directly connects to the Humbug-Willow Creek Trail, the Folsom Parkway Rail Trail, and indirectly connects to the SacRT Glenn Station. After crossing Folsom Boulevard, the overcrossing structure touches down between Woodmere Drive and Willow Creek.
Alternative 4 is located the furthest from the SacRT Glenn Station. The start of the alignment directly connects to the Folsom Parkway Rail Trail, crosses Folsom Boulevard just south of the Woodmere Drive intersection and touches down at the Humbug-Willow Creek Trail.
