Village Parkway North Extension Project (Finalist)

Consistent with the California League of Cities, the City of West Sacramento is committed to the preservation and protection of streets and roads systems. The City of West Sacramento has a vision of streets projects that improve and sustain the safety and mobility of the public, law enforcement, commerce, emergency responders and that serve all multi modal transportation needs. In 2016, the City opened the Village Parkway Extension North to improve transportation options to the Southport District and the rest of southern West Sacramento. Prior to the extension, the southern communities had few connection options to the northern part of the City and to recreational, employment and commercial destinations. Residents of the area can now enjoy easier access to hiking, biking and fishing while enjoying increased access to freeways, bridges, Raley Field, the Barn, City Hall, and Downtown Sacramento. In addition, this north-east connection along West Sacramento’s waterfront, supports multi modal commute patterns and is already positively impacting access to freeways and attracting interest in mixed-use development along the River. With all West Sacramento residents in mind, the .4 mile Parkway Extension now safely accommodates motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians and provides two 12 foot wide lanes in each direction. Two roundabouts along the parkway help to direct traffic and to provide bikeway bypass. The two lane traffic includes dedicated eight foot wide bicycle lanes, which provide safe travel for bicyclists and promote green commuting alternatives. Accommodations for pedestrians include: five foot wide sidewalks, clear crossings, and street lighting. Adding an aesthetic quality to area, stamped asphalt was laid and more than 180 trees were planted, which will also provide shade for both pedestrians and bicyclists. The City of West Sacramento has also incorporated the latest Caltrans Standards for bike lane safety. Along the entire stretch of the project the road has a 10 foot stamped asphalt region separating vehicular traffic from the cyclist as well as ingress and egress points into the widened sidewalk area within the roundabout region, further minimizing conflict points between bikes and motorists. The City is committed to engaging community in any projects that affect it. Three public workshops were held to address the public’s concerns, interests and outlook of the project. Also, in an effort to lower the City’s and the Region’s carbon footprint, the road was also designed to accommodate a future street car route, expand road to four lanes and to accommodate future bus stops. The City, in partnership with SACOG and Caltrans, makes the case for Village Parkway as deserving of the Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Award/Complete Streets Projects because of its impact increasing mobility, public transportation, safety, vitality, multi modal transportation and connectivity within the City and to the region.