By Danny Bernardini/DBernardini@TheReporter.com
Posted: 03/31/2009
Traffic moves along Highway-12 East of Suisun City Monday. In an effort to increase safety, officials from the California Department of Transportation held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday as they launch a refurbishing project that will include turn lanes, rumble strips and shoulder lanes along sections of the dangerous and deadly highway. (Rick Roach, The Reporter)
Two years ago, five separate fatal traffic accidents on Highway 12 prodded local and state leaders to join forces and take action.
Many of those who were behind the changes to the landscape and laws for Highway 12 gathered Monday to celebrate $25 million in projects that will continue improvements on 12 miles of the roadway between Suisun City and Rio Vista.
Some of those improvements -- scheduled to be completed by spring 2011 -- include shoulder widening, increased signage and pavement improvements.
"Today is a day for celebration. Two years ago this month, this highway really earned the name 'Blood Alley,'" said state Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Solano. "A lot has changed since then. It's just a very different road."
Local, state and federal officials joined at the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City for a groundbreaking ceremony. Thank-yous and pats on the back were plentiful as several speakers spoke highly of the partnerships among the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Transportation, state Sens. Wolk and Patricia Wiggins, as well as city and county leaders.
Sue Ward, commander of the Solano area CHP, said that, because of past efforts to improve safety on Highway 12, fatal and other accidents have dropped significantly for those who travel the road between Interstates 5 and 80.
From 2005 to 2007, she noted, there were 22 fatalities and 491 injuries on that stretch. Those numbers dropped to three fatalities and 101 injuries in 2008.
"However, a loss of three lives is too many," Ward said. "We hope to continue the downward trend of accidents. Slow down, buckle up and enjoy the ride. You just might save a life -- your own."
Many speakers pointed to AB 12, the bill that designated Highway 12 as a double-fine zone, as one of the first major tools of improvement. There also have been dividers set up on many stretches of the road, increased hours for CHP officers, more signs and heavy public outreach.
The next steps include several improvements between Shiloh and Currie roads, scheduled to be completed this spring. They include widening the shoulders, adding centerline channelizers (temporary upright plastic posts) and rumble strips, modifying the drainage, widening the intersection and rehabbing pavement.
Environmental documents are being completed for 8-foot shoulders and other changes between Azevedo and Liberty Island roads.
A major investment study is under way for improvements from I-80 to the Rio Vista Bridge and a corridor study between the Rio Vista Bridge and Highway 99.
