Pedestrians crossing some of Sacramento’s busiest corridors will soon see brighter warning beacons, clearer markings and improved accessibility features designed to make walking safer and more accessible.
The Sacramento City Council this week approved the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)-10 Pedestrian Crossings Improvement Project, which will enhance crossings at:
- Folsom Boulevard and Seville Way
- Raley Boulevard and Santa Ana Avenue
- W Street and 8th Street
- Alhambra Boulevard and X Street
All four intersections are located on arterial roadways identified on the City’s High Injury Network in the Vision Zero Action Plan, which focuses on reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on City streets.
The project includes installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon systems at each location, upgraded curb ramps with detectable warning surfaces, new signage, flexible posts and refreshed striping and pavement markings to improve driver awareness and pedestrian accessibility.
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons are pedestrian-activated flashing yellow lights that alert drivers someone is crossing the street.
“These intersections are on our High Injury Network, and additional visibility and warning features are designed to improve driver awareness to yield to pedestrians,” said James Kragh, associate engineer with the Department of Public Works. “Installing rapid flashing beacons and upgrading curb ramps will enhance conspicuity and accessibility for people using these crossings.”
The City applied for and received $193,600 in HSIP Cycle 10 construction funding to help deliver the project.
Construction is expected to begin later this month and be completed this summer.
Once complete, the upgraded crossings will provide stronger visual cues to drivers and safer, more accessible routes for people walking and rolling along some of Sacramento’s most heavily traveled corridors.
