A message from Councilman Steve Cohn about the J and Folsom lane conversions.

Staff Completes “Before” and “After” Evaluation of the J Street and Folsom Boulevard Conversions

In August 2013, the City’s Public Works Department put parts of J Street and Folsom Boulevard on a “road diet”.  The lane conversions were implemented, changing the streets from four lanes to two lanes with a center two-way left turn lane.  The goal was to provide for a “complete street” that balances the needs of all users, auto drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.  I believe we have accomplished these goals.

I have heard positive feedback from residents and businesses that live and work along the J Street and Folsom Boulevard corridors.  They feel safer exiting driveways, riding their bikes and crossing streets.  I initially heard from a few people who had concerns about increased travel times, which prompted City Traffic Engineering to make a few adjustments to signal timing.  I also asked staff to monitor the new configuration and prepare an evaluation including travel data for the two roadways with emphasis on Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes, travel time and travel speed, for

Folsom Boulevard and J Street within the project limits.

A summary of the report findings follows:

·         Motor vehicle Average Daily Traffic (ADT) slightly increased by 2% on Folsom Boulevard and 6% on J Street concluding that there was no change or redistribution of traffic to parallel streets in the period before and after the project..

·         There was no change or redistribution of traffic to parallel streets in the period

before and after the project.

·         Travel speed decreased by 3% on Folsom Boulevard and 4% on J Street.

·         Travel time decreased by 35% and 21% on Folsom Boulevard eastbound during

the AM and PM peak hours and by 23% and 29% westbound during the AM and

PM peak hours.

·         Travel time decreased by 27% and 29% on J Street eastbound during the AM

and PM peak hours but increased by 13% and 8% westbound during the AM and

PM peak hours.

·         Public response has been positive for the changes on Folsom Boulevard.

·         Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocacy (SABA) and several residents raised concerns and requested bike lanes to be installed along J Street.  The City Council will consider these bike lanes in July.