For previous posts, see Category: Arden-Auburn.
The draft plan for the Arden Way – Auburn Blvd Mobility Plan has finally been released. If you wish to comment on the draft, you will need to go through the project webpage, and answer questions, before receiving access to the document online. The list of documents down the page has not been updated, but a tile for the draft plan has been added near the top of the page.
The community workshop is this Wednesday, October 28, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, at 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento.
I have briefly reviewed the draft, and have some initial comments.
The document refers to appendices, but they are not part of the viewable or downloadable document. I think that Appendix D may contain design information critical to understanding the project.
- Appendix A. Existing Conditions Assessment
- Appendix B. Community Feedback
- Appendix C. Draft Concept Assessment Memorandum
- Appendix D. Preferred Corridor Improvement Concepts
- Appendix E. Opinion of Probable Construction Costs
The draft plans start on page 26 (6.1 Draft Plans).
The design and marking of ‘shared use path’ is not shown. Most of it is 10 feet wide, which needs some sort of marking for differentiation between bicyclist ‘lane’ and walker ‘lane’. The portion which is 12 feet wide may not require differentiation.
SR-160 ramps on the south side of Arden Way at the interchange will have signals added to protect walkers crossing the otherwise high-speed ramps. The ramps on the north side are identified for ‘mid-term improvements’, after uncertain negotiation with Caltrans. This is concerning.
Addition of sidewalk buffers (planting strips/landscaping) in several location is good, providing increased safety and comfort for walkers and bicyclists, but these should be on the entire corridor. The cross-sections for Harvard Way (page 35) and Auburn Blvd (page 36) show a sidewalk buffer of 7 feet. Eight feet is a minimum for healthy trees.
A cross-section of Arden Way (East Arden Way, page 27) shows double left-turn lanes. Double turn lanes are a known hazard that should not be retained or present in any safety project.
The intersections of Arden Way with Point West Way and Heritage Lane are shown as the highest crash rate intersection in the project, and Heritage Lane is the location of a KSI (Killed or Severely Injured) crash within the five year window. Yet no design is shown for these two intersections. It is likely that these are the most important locations on the entire project, and in fact should be the site of an immediate project to make them safer for everyone, and not deferred to this longer-term corridor project. This lack of attention makes me concerned that the planning effort to date has overlooked important safety issues.
