Wow.....! I was not aware of any of this. Thanks for the information. When I first saw that road it seemed illogical that it did not have a divider. It's just common sense to put one there if new construction and as wide as it is... Plenty of room and not that more costly. Regards
Chris,
I have much more information which I obtained directly from the last City Engineer Bob Blaser, who was a dear friend who died much too young.
In the mid to late 1980's Bob was very upset when the mayor decided that high speed limits should be posted at all the entering roads to the city. This same mayor got the Lake Natoma bridge built, destroying old Folsom, when the decades old plan was for the Oak Avenue Bridge. The land for the OA bridge and right of way is still vacant to this day. Bob said there was a fluke in CA law that allowed the posting of 55mph by cities, at their discretion. Bob strongly objected to this, but lost to the politician. The 55 mph signs are still in place.
Bob always did "Engineered Studies for Speed" signage on a regular basis. Like other cities do, if there were accidents, the limits could be lowered. The mayor said no.
If you did a Public Records Request for the Engineered STudies, you would probably be told there were none such anymore. I kept the old ones because they show the thoroughness of Bob's work, and his efforts to protect us.
He also had problems with many other engineering decisions made by non-engineers. He refused to put his license, signature and seal on some of the documents laid in front of him. He was the city's last City Engineer.
Before his contract was over, Bob was not Public Works Director. His clerical assistant was made PW Director, and he made outrageous, improper decisions which haunt us to this day. He sent the sewer workers home from that major raw sewage spill. That is why raw sewage spilled into the river for about three days. 750,000 gallons of raw sewage got the city a minimum fine of $750,000.
Now, Public Works Department is rolled into Development Dept., and not headed by an engineer, but a guy with a Bachelor of Arts in something other than engineering.
Engineers are trained to protect us. They are licensed to ensure their legal compliance and competence. If you don't like something a licensed engineer does, you can file a complaint against their license and there is a judgment by peers.
The deaths will never stop as long as there absolulutely NO BARRIERS between opposing traffic on high-speed pavements.
Face it, proper roadway improvements cost money. Safety costs more money than growth and development without any consideration for the human lives lost.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Agreed, Accidents will ALWAYS happen. BUT
The barriers which prevent DEATHs must be used or the accidents will be devastating. With a proper median, landscaping and barriers, it is quite conceivable that good samaritan designated driver would be alive today to enjoy his family, his career, and his future.
If you cannot visualize this, look at the difference between Roseville's streets and Folsoms.
Speed limits are lower. Medians are landscaped with energy-absorbing large trees and bushes. Police are more evident - using radar. Cutting city services is another political decision which smells baaaadddd.
Did you read the report: the accident occurred when a vehicle 'crossed the double yellow lines'. There was no MEDIAN. The accident occurred BUT the result did not have to be so brually terrible for an innocent driver who was the designated driver.
