Heads Up: Next stage Of Fix I-5 Moved To July 8

FixI5.Com

Caltrans announced today that the next stage of the Fix I-5 project will be moved to July 8 to allow time to properly prepare the new lanes for final sealing.

Caltrans, working closely with prime contractor C. C. Myers Inc., determined that moving the stage ahead will allow work crews more time to properly prepare these lanes for final sealing while keeping all lanes open through the busy July 4 holiday.

When crews began removing the old pavement – they discovered it was much thicker than anticipated. In some places, concrete was as thick as 48 inches.

This discovery means the prep process for the new, fast-setting slag-based concrete will take longer than anticipated.

“It is critical that this concrete be completely dry before applying the sealant and the final driving surface,” said District 3 Director Jody Jones. “To ensure a quality, long-lasting product, Caltrans and our contractor determined the safest course of action was to move Stage 3 to July 8 and avoid impacting the public and downtown area businesses during the busy July 4 holiday."

Stage 3, which is now the closure of the southbound lanes between Richards Blvd. and the U.S. Highway 50/Capitol City Freeway Interchange is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. on July 8. Those lanes will remain closed until 5 a.m. on July 15.

After a short break, Stage 4 of the project, which is now the closure of northbound lanes, will take effect from 8 p.m. Thursday, July 17 to 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 24.

Crews will be allowed to begin smoothing out the new concrete in the overnight hours between stages 2 and 3. Nighttime closures, blocking various lanes in each direction, are being scheduled for next week.

Is RT The Ticket To Ride?

The Interstate 5 construction project has given a boost to ridership of Regional Transit's bus and light rail system, but RT is stilll looking for more feedback from area residents regarding its services in the years ahead.

Provide input by taking Regional Transit's online survey.

Lookin' Good...

And speaking of road construction (because it seems like THE BUZZ always is):

All the orange cones were conspicuously absent from Del Paso Road yesterday afternoon.

The new Ls -- turn Lanes, street Lights, Landscaping, and turn-only traffic Lights -- are all in place and looking fabuLous!

At first glance, the three turn lanes from Del Paso onto Natomas Boulevard appeared to be overkill, but we have to say "Bravo" for a job well done.

Hopefully, these improvements will also encourage more walking and less red-light running.

For The Love Of Pete!

Not to beat a dead horse by bringing up I-5 yet again...

...but it seems more and more like government agencies communicated better with commuters than with each other about the much-hyped Fix I-5 project.

Less than a week ago, a Sac Bee reader was the first to report the city had started prep work to close West El Camino Avenue to rebuild the canal bridge between Northgate and North Sacramento. The closure -- reportedly scheduled prior to Fix I-5 -- is set to go into effect tomorrow (that's June 18) and will be closed into the fall.

Then comes a report from News10.net the city had planned to close the Sacramento bike trail June 19 and 20 (that's this Thursday and Friday) for resurfacing. Apparently concerned citizens and inquiries from "the media" prompted the city to delay the closure until after the work on Interstate 5 is complete.

Isn't it funny how both these untimely closures directly impact Natomas-area commuters, and their ability to use alternative routes in and out of the neighborhood?

Not.

Gotta Love 'Em

A former colleague and good friend of THE BUZZ used to marvel whenever journalists were caught interviewing other journalists for stories.

It just didn't seem right.

The Sac Bee this morning, interviewed one of its own for this anticlimactic breaking news report on the I-5 construction and this morning's commute.

The Fix I-5 Is In...

FixI5.com

THE BUZZ and family decided to brave I-5 south Sunday morning on our way to Old Sac for Father's Day brunch.

As indicated on the Sac Bee's online map, the freeway narrowed down to two lanes at Richards Boulevard and we were able to exit at J Street, loop around into Old Sac, and found street parking with ease.

Old Sac was nearly deserted at 10 a.m. and we wondered whether the partial freeway closure had any bearing on the lack of vehicle and foot traffic on the cobbled streets.

After brunch, however, Old Sac was bustling so we chalked up the quiet morning up to just that... A quiet morning.

Since the Fix I-5 freeway closure shifted this weekend from the northbound lanes to those southbound, THE BUZZ wants to know what Natomas-area commuters are experiencing.


Click on "comments" below to share!

New Stop Signs -- Love 'Em Or Leave 'Em?

The sign before the overpass...

From our South Natomas readers:

Stop signs were recently installed at the West El Camino exit off Interstate 80 -- in both directions.

The new signs have traffic stop prior to driving across the overpass and again on the other side.

Previous to installation of said signs, vehicles exiting the freeway at West El Camino often backed up during peak traffic times.

So far, reviews of the new signs are mixed, but when THE BUZZ drove by to check them out, traffic did seem to move pretty steadily.

... and the one after.

Breaking News: No Big Deal

THE BUZZ got a "breaking news" alert first thing this morning from the Sac Bee letting us know the morning commute went "surprisingly well" despite the much ballyhooed closure of I-5.

Really? Is it surprising? The media has been playing up the Fix I-5 project for so long one would be hard pressed to find a Sacramentan unaware of the scheduled freeway closure.

And for those passing through town, or those who couldn't manage to map out an alternative route to avoid said closure, Caltrans has provided a detour for goodness sakes!

We absolutely love the reader comments to the above-mentioned article.

Commuters Be Prepared

The North Natomas Transportation Management Association released the following tips for commuters who plan to use their The Flyer shuttle service during the Fix I-5 freeway closures:

• Make sure you know which route you are riding - WEST, CENTRAL or EAST.
• Have you checked our website for your NEW pick-up/drop-off times? - Check schedule here.
• Each shuttle will have temporary directional signage - WEST, CENTRAL, EAST in the windows.
• The Shuttle Hotline will be updated when a shuttle will be more than 10 minutes late. Hotline- 552-0313.
• During construction time, your shuttle could be the usual TMA logo'd shuttle, a plain white shuttle that is similar in size, or a shuttle that has Paratransit's name on it. Look for the WEST, CENTRAL, EAST sign in the windows.
• All shuttles are fitted with grab poles, overhead grab rails, and seatback grab bars that meet all state and federal requirements for standees on our vehicle types.
• There may not be room for your bike on the shuttle bike rack, or your shuttle may not have a bike rack. We are disappointed about this as well.
• If you don't have a shuttle ticket, please carry correct change - $1 each ride.
• A Spare The Air advisory will be issued when the forecast is for 150 AQI or higher. A notice will be posted inside each shuttle and you will NOT have to pay that day - either morning or evening. Our information comes from the Sacramento Air Quality Management District and we will abide by their call.
• Your shuttle driver may get downtown and back any number of ways. Please respect the drivers and their decisions.

If you have been living under a rock, and know nothing about the Fix I-5 construction project, or the North Natomas' expanded shuttle service, click here.

Sac County To Help Out Commuters

"Survive I-5 - Park and Ride" Commuter Passes Available for FREE!

For the duration of the I-5 construction project, Regional Parks is offering at no charge a "Survive I-5 - Park and Ride" commuter pass, which will allow commuters to park at all County Park facilities along the scenic American River Parkway to bike, cycle or skate to work.

Fill out a pass application and send completed application to ParksInfo@SacCounty.net or mail to 4040 Bradshaw, Sacramento CA 95827. Learn more about the program.

Certain restrictions apply.

As Smooth As A Baby's...

The newly paved intersection at Del Paso Road and Natomas Boulevard is looking good, but THE BUZZ is starting to wonder... When will this project be done, y'all?

Update from Councilman Ray Tretheway's office: The city plans to have Del Paso Road 99% complete by June 15. The remaining items are signing, striping, and landscaping.

Fix I-5 Shuttle Schedules Now Online

Be sure to check out the North Natomas TMA’s Fix I-5 Project news page and plan your commute. The project is scheduled to begin the evening of May 30 and be complete by early morning on July 15.

The special I-5 shuttle schedules will be in effect from Monday, June 2 through Monday, July 14.

The North Natomas TMA has added additional drivers and shuttles to help ease the impact of traffic. The TMA also will be offering a shuttle hotline so you can call for updated information on shuttle route changes or delays at 552-0313.

The new schedules offer a new downtown stop at 9th and N Street and an additional stop on the Central Route at East Commerce and New Market.

Click here to view the updated schedules.

Shuttle Service Gets Boost During I-5 Project

Caltrans has agreed to fund increased "The Flyer" shuttle service during the I-5 construction period.

The North Natomas Transportation Management Association's website will shortly have the updated route information. Route times will be spread out enough to allocate additional construction delays on each run.

The TMA is working with area transit providers brainstorming good route alternatives in the downtown area. Our flexible plan is to leave the route stops downtown the same, during this construction period.

Heron Park Traffic Surveys Due Today

Don't forget: Traffic surveys sent out by the Heron Park Traffic Calming Committee are due Friday, March 7.

Completed surveys can be dropped off at Heron School, The Club at Natomas Park or mailed to the city.

Click here if you cannot locate your survey.

Traffic Calming Committee Surveys Some Natomas Park Residents

Natomas Park residents who live in the area around Heron School this week received correspondence from the City of Sacramento about traffic calming measures in the works for their neighborhood.

The lavender-colored newsletter and a yellow-colored traffic survey have been sent to each home within the Heron Park study area which is bounded by Club Center Drive to the north, Northborough Drive to the west, North Park Drive to the south, and Natomas Boulevard to the east.

The Heron Park Traffic Calming Committee was formed out of a community meeting held in November 2007. The group of eight volunteers attended a traffic workshop in January and met for the first time in February with city officials to start the study process.

The committee identified several intersections and streets which will be the subject of speed and traffic volume counts by the city. These counts, along with those surveys which are completed and returned, will help guide the committee's suggestions for traffic calming measures.

Traffic calming measures include, but are not limited to:

• Signs
• Striping
• Speed Humps
• Traffic Circles
• Parking Modifications
  

The Heron Park traffic calming process is expected to take about nine months and has a budget of $25,000. Traffic calming measures recommended by the Heron Park committee will be voted on by area residents prior to their implementation.

Click here to read the newsletter and here for the survey, which can be printed and dropped off at Heron School, The Club at Natomas Park, or mailed in to the city.

Commuter Club to Replace SMART Club

Starting Feb. 6, the North Natomas Transportation Management Association will end its North Natomas SMART Club and transition to the regional service of the Commuter Club.

As a result, existing SMART Club members will get the benefits of the Commuter Club website such as the ride share board, van pool listing, and vehicle commute and cycling log.

Members will still be eligible for all the same SMART Club benefits:

• SMART Card ID
• Emergency Ride Home
• Local retailer coupons and discounts
• Bike/bike equipment rebates

The North Natomas Transportation Management Association encourages SMART Club members to transition into the Commuter Club.

If you ride the Flyer shuttle or want eligibility for the Emergency Ride Home or a bike rebate, you will be required to be a Commuter Club member when the SMART Club ceases to exist.

Contact the TMA office for more information at 419-9955 or send an e-mail.

The Flyer Routes & Schedules To Change

The North Natomas Transportation Management Agency yesterday announced new Flyer commuter routes and schedules based on rider requests and need.

The planned changes are scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, Feb. 19. (Feb. 18 is a shuttle holiday.)

The Flyer Eastside Route will now continue up Gateway Park Boulevard to North Bend Drive instead of taking Blackrock Drive. This will eliminate the need for riders to cross Del Paso Boulevard.

There will be no changes to the Westside Route, but the schedule will change. Due to low ridership bot the last morning and the first evening shuttle loops will be discontinued.

Significant changes are in store for the Central Route that that will affect all riders, including:

• A third loop will be offered both in the morning and the evening.
• Route start times will change to allow commuters to arrive downtown earlier.
• Service to the Club Center area will be discontinued as it duplicates Regional Transit’s route.
  

The North Natomas Transportation Management Agency encourages feedback from riders and can be reached by calling 419-9955 or e-mail.

Caltrans Announces Major I-5 Construction Project

Word of warning to those North Natomas residents who commute to work via Interstate 5...

Caltrans officials announced their plans to repair the boat section of I-5, a busy stretch of highway between R Street and J Street that is below the ground water level.

Over the years, the drainage system has become clogged, causing water to seep up and crack the pavement. The construction project, which will protect I-5 from potential flooding, is expected to begin in May 2008.

Caltrans estimates 306 days of construction and the work zone will span several lanes in each direction from Richards Boulevard to Sutterville Road.. The plan calls for the removal of old pavement, new drainage channels, monitoring systems, and a new layer of concrete.

For more information, call Caltrans Public Information Officer Mark Dinger at (530) 741-4572.