Upgrades to freeways on horizon

Upgrades to freeways on horizon
By Sarah Rohrs/ Times-Herald, Vallejo
Posted: 07/27/2009 09:02:20 AM PDT

Freeway ramp metering lights and more highway message boards could be on Solano County's traffic horizon, according to a draft version of a traffic corridor study.

Public comments are being taken on the Interstate 80/Interstate 680/Interstate 780 Highway Corridor Study and Implementation Plan.

Drivers could soon find ramp metering lights on Green Valley and Suisun Valley on-ramps onto I-80, and more message boards and other technological devices.

Nearly $121.6 million in improvements are needed by 2015 to manage Solano County's growing number of drivers, according to the draft plan.

Two public hearings will be held next week to allow drivers and others to learn more, and comment on the plan. Meetings will be held at the following times and locations:

* Fairfield-Suisun School District, 2490 Hilborn Road, Fairfield in Conference 102, 6 p.m. Tuesday.

* Solano Community College, Vallejo Center, 545 Columbus Parkway, 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Solano Transportation Authority planners will outline the corridor study, and Caltrans officials will be on hand to talk about current I-80 work, including new pavement and HOV lanes in Fairfield and Vacaville, STA project manager Sam Shelton said.

While many Bay Area freeways have message boards, and other high tech devices to keep drivers up to speed on traffic conditions, Solano is considered a "dark county," Shelton said.

The county has just three freeway message boards, including one on I-80 in
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Vallejo.

More changeable message signs, and closed circuit televisions, and phone and cables are needed, the plan says.

Comments and questions on the corridor study are due by Aug. 12. The full STA board considers the document in September.

For more details go to www.solanolinks.com and click on "Solano Highway Study."