Folsom’s efforts to improve safety along one of its most traveled corridors took a major step forward Tuesday night as the City Council unanimously approved a cooperative agreement with Caltrans to advance the second phase of enhancements to Folsom Lake Crossing.
This agreement, critical to securing federal funds through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), allows the City of Folsom to initiate engineering work and eventually construction for the Folsom Lake Crossing Median Barrier Phase 2 Project—targeting the segment between Folsom Dam Road and Folsom Auburn Road.
The stretch of roadway has been a topic of discussion among residents and city officials over the years with its history of serious and fatal collisions. Since 2016, at least six people have died in head-on crashes on the corridor, including two separate triple-fatality incidents, according to the city staff report. The most recent occurred in 2022, reigniting calls for more substantial safety measures. Though plans for improvements were already underway at the time, city officials noted the tragedy reaffirmed the need for continued safety enhancements.
A roadway with a need for changes
Folsom Lake Crossing opened in 2009 and was built to meet the safety standards of that time. However, with growing traffic volumes and evolving roadway safety expectations, the corridor has proven vulnerable to high-speed, head-on crashes. Factors such as minimal lighting, wide lanes, and limited physical separation between opposing traffic have contributed to a series of severe and often deadly incidents, according to the city staff report.
Phase 1 of the safety improvements was completed in 2023 and included the installation of a three-beam median barrier, resurfacing with an open-grade friction course, dynamic speed warning signs, and upgraded pavement striping. These changes focused primarily on the bridge section of the crossing.
Phase 2 builds upon that foundation by extending safety improvements to the approaches on either side of the bridge. According to the city staff report, this next phase will include:
- New or modified median barriers
- Enhanced roadway lighting, including solar-powered options
- Dynamic signage and updated object markers
- Reduced lane widths and improved striping
- Increased use of reflectors, delineators, and retro-reflective materials
The report notes the goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions, especially run-off-road and head-on accidents that have occurred in this corridor.
Funding and federal partnership
The project is backed by $1.04 million in federal funding awarded through the efforts of Congressman Kevin Kiley, who identified the Folsom Lake Crossing project as a priority for Congressionally Directed Spending. To access these funds, the city was required to enter into a program supplement agreement with Caltrans, which authorizes reimbursement for eligible project expenses, according to the city staff report.
“This project benefits the community by reducing traffic congestion, and improving safety on adjacent interchanges, ultimately enhancing local and regional circulation and transportation infrastructure in Folsom and surrounding areas,” Kevin Kiley told Folsom Times following his acquisition of the funds.
The city is responsible for an 11.47% local funding match—amounting to $134,743—bringing the total estimated funding package to $1.17 million. Staff reports confirm that sufficient matching funds are available through local sources.
With the agreement now in place, the city can proceed to the preliminary engineering phase, which includes detailed design, environmental review, utility coordination, right-of-way certification, and a public engagement process, as outlined in the city staff report.
If all benchmarks are met as anticipated, construction could begin as early as spring 2026 and wrap by the end of that year.
What comes next
Following Tuesday’s approval by City Council, City staff will soon issue a request for proposals for design services as part of the engineering phase. This will help determine actual construction costs and finalize the project’s technical scope. According to the report, current funding levels are expected to fully cover engineering and may also support a portion of the construction phase.
Residents seeking updates on the project or interested in providing public input can do so by contacting the Folsom Public Works Department or visiting the city’s official website.
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