Freeport Boulevard Walk Audit
Project Background
The Freeport Boulevard Transportation Safety project is a joint initiative by neighbors from the Hollywood Park, Land Park, and South Land Park communities to envision and implement improvements along one of Sacramento’s most heavily traveled thoroughfares. The project, which is led by the Freeport Boulevard Transportation Safety Committee, arose out of resident concerns for pedestrian and bicycle safety along Freeport Boulevard.
In early 2018, a fatal collision involving an elderly pedestrian occurred along the corridor at a previously marked crosswalk that had been removed by the City of Sacramento. The collision and subsequent discussions with the City about making safety improvements highlighted the dangers for pedestrians along the commercial corridor, especially those walking to one of the several schools in the area. Following the collision, dedicated neighbors involved in the Freeport Boulevard Transportation Safety Committee have worked to organize residents and establish a proactive vision for transportation along Freeport Boulevard between Sutterville Road and Blair Avenue.
Project Role
Community Engagement Facilitator
Project Partners
Freeport Boulevard Transportation Safety Committee
Project Timeline
2019
Download Freeport Boulevard Walk AUdit Report
Project Process
Shortly after the fatal collision at Oregon Drive and Freeport Boulevard, WALKSacramento began meeting with residents across the three nearby neighborhoods interested in advocating that the City restripe the previously removed crossing. While all intersections in California, unless marked otherwise, are legal pedestrian crossings, the City identified the existing marked crosswalk as deficient given the traffic volumes and speeds. In order to improve safety and bring the crosswalk into compliance with the City’s own Pedestrian Crossing Guidelines, a traffic light or other similar control device would be required. With insufficient funds to make proactive improvements, the City elected to remove the marked crossing, the intent being to discourage pedestrian crossings at that location.
In discussing this concern with frustrated residents, it became clear that while the Oregon Drive crossing is a barrier, it is not the only challenging crossing or transportation safety issue along the corridor. In fact, residents have been contacting the City for quite some time to voice a variety of concerns including crossing safety, inconsistent bicycle facilities, and most commonly, traffic speeds. While specific improvements at troublesome locations like Oregon Drive would be welcomed by residents, the Freeport Boulevard Transportation Safety Committee recognizes that more comprehensive improvements along the corridor are necessary.
