The Folsom City Council has approved a resolution to advance a study aimed at improving transit connections to health services within the city. During its Aug. 26 meeting, the council authorized the Folsom City Manager to execute agreements with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant. The $218,472 grant will fund a planning and feasibility study focused on creating sustainable transit links to major medical facilities in the Folsom Plan Area, located south of Highway 50.
The study will evaluate potential routes and station locations that would connect residential neighborhoods to key health service providers, including UC Davis, Dignity Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Sutter Health, all of which have planned or ongoing developments near Highway 50 and East Bidwell Street. The initiative comes as part of a broader effort to enhance the city’s transportation infrastructure and support future growth.
The resolution also ensures that the city will provide a local match of $31,528, primarily through in-kind staff services, in collaboration with the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT). The study will consider various factors such as pedestrian access, bus turnouts, and the integration of new medical facilities with the existing Folsom Gold Line light-rail service. The goal is to develop a transit system that will reduce traffic congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve access to essential services.
Pam Johns, Folsom’s Community Development Director, emphasized the importance of planning sustainable transit routes before the completion of new infrastructure projects like the Alder Creek Parkway. “This is a unique opportunity to design a transit system that meets the needs of our growing community, especially with the upcoming expansion of health services in the area,” Johns said.
The study will include extensive community outreach, technical analysis, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders, ensuring that the resulting transit plan is both effective and sustainable. The City of Folsom’s initiative aligns with other regional transportation projects, including the Folsom Light Rail Modernization Double Track Project and SACOG’s Green Means Go Program.
The feasibility study is expected to begin later this year and will extend through June 2027. The findings will inform the development of a transit system designed to support the city’s future growth while enhancing access to healthcare and reducing environmental impacts.
