Lower Sacramento Road Bike Safety Improvements

Project Location: Lower Sacramento Road: 1400 feet north of Eight Mile Road to Harney Lane. See attached Vicinity Map. Project Justification: Lower Sacramento Road was constructed between 1928 and 1930. It is a major north-south connector in San Joaquin County and experiences significant daily traffic as it is a direct link between Stockton and Lodi. Along this section of roadway there are farm-related operations, industrial and agricultural uses, and a mix of residential and business uses. In 2015, Lower Sacramento Road was widened to provide for a 16-foot-wide raised concrete median, two travel lanes in each direction, left-turn channelization at intersections, and 8-foot paved shoulders (Class III Bike Route) on both sides. The existing roadway carries over 11,000 vehicles per day. Traffic volumes have steadily increased as Stockton has grown northward, and Lodi has grown westward. As the growth continues, this section of Lower Sacramento Road will play a more prominent role in providing mobility between the two cities. The speed and quantity of traffic moving through this corridor can deter cyclists from using the existing bike facilities. Scope of Work: The project will consist of: 1. Painting a 2-foot bike lane buffer along both shoulders of the corridor, leaving a 6-foot-wide bike lane on each side. 2. Painting 4-foot-wide green transitions in bike lane near intersections. 3. Placing bike lane signs adjacent to the green transitions at bike lane near intersections. Environmental Setting: In these portions of the San Joaquin County, land usage is primarily rural. There are many large trees adjacent to the project area. Nesting and migratory birds, protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, may nest within these trees. Furthermore, the Swainson’s Hawk, a raptor species of concern within the State of California and listed as threatened may nest adjacent to or within the project area. A pre-construction survey for nesting Swainson’s Hawks and other migratory birds is recommended if construction is scheduled to occur from February 15th to September 1st. Beneficiaries: The public will see increased safety and fewer hazards with this bike safety improvement. Overall, there will be more reliability within the project area.