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Monday's Internet Edition, January 05, 2009.
Highway 16 in Sloughhouse to undergo safety improvements
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CalTrans has set aside funding for turn lanes to be added to this stretch of Highway 16 outside of Davis Ranch in Sloughhouse in the coming year. A dangerous stretch of the highway due to increased traffic, CalTrans finally determined that it was in need of safety improvements.
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By Wendy Smith
River Valley Times Staff
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After a recent fatal accident on Highway 16 in Rancho Murieta, River Valley residents may be encouraged to hear that safety improvements along Highway 16 in Sloughhouse at the entrance to Davis Ranch are slated to begin sometime in the coming year, according to CalTrans and Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli.
A treacherous stretch of the highway, CalTrans finally determined that it was a safety hazard and set aside funds for creating a left-turn lane as well as widening both lanes to allow for extra turning room in the midst of heavy traffic.
CalTrans did a survey of the site on Oct. 11, 2007 in order to determine what could be done to make the road safer. Originally, the county had hoped that the improvements would be made late this summer and early fall. “CalTrans delays are causing us to look into the future before this is finished," Nottoli said. "We will, of course, be pushing them in any way we can to help provide for the safety of our motorists as quickly as possible.”
Nottoli added, “Having a protected turn lane would vastly improve the safety along that stretch of road.”
Davis Ranch Co-owner Jim Ayers said his family has been trying to get a turn lane in front of their market for years. According to Ayers, the increase in traffic has patrons of the market gunning their way back into the road in order to enter the highway.
Those entering Davis Ranch have to assume that the cars speeding along will see their brake lights so that they won’t be rear-ended. “We kept asking CalTrans to take a look at it, but they always said we needed studies, which were incredibly expensive so nothing ever got done," said Ayers. "Now with increasing traffic and several accidents, they’re finally doing something about it. It’s about time.”
In fact, it also took a deadly accident and a dedicated daughter to champion the cause. On January 11, 2007, Art Martinez passed away from internal injuries after being involved in a head-on collision near the Davis Ranch.
Lisa Capshaw, Martinez’s daughter, has been working with County Supervisor Don Nottoli ever since to make the necessary safety changes in that area of Highway 16. “I feel for the people who drive on that road. I really do," said Capshaw. "I feel especially for those who have been in an accident or have had family members involved in accidents. It’s simply not safe the way that it is now with traffic moving so quickly.”
According to Nottoli, part of the delay is due to the sizeable nature of the project. Still in the design phase, CalTrans engineers must allot proper distances for acceleration and deceleration into and out of turn lanes, while still providing access to driveways and making sure of clear sight lines. They also have to take into account the current size of the shoulders to make sure that there is sufficient width for safe turn lanes.
Capshaw, while not thrilled that the project has to wait another year, is pleased that progress is being made. “The fact that we have funding is great, and that they’re working on plans and have done the surveying is encouraging,” she said. In addition, the yellow lines between lanes have changed from broken to solid, making it illegal to pass between Sloughhouse and Dillard roads.
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Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
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Copyright 2005, EZ Edit Web Publishing.
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