|
1. Hazel Ave has evolved into a major north/south connector
through the Region.
Hazel Ave has become a major thoroughfare for commuters doing
the suburb to suburb commute. Because of its north/south connection,
it has also become a corridor for truck traffic. The study
needs to examine segments of the corridor and the corridor
as a whole to determine an overall blueprint for current and
future improvements. Commuters depend upon this corridor to
move them from their homes to jobs in downtown Sacramento
and the growing Placer County, Rancho Cordova and Folsom areas,
and this demand is expected to increase greatly over time.
2. Hazel Avenue is inadequate to meet commuter expectations.
Hazel Avenue is a four-lane road pushed to its limits during
peak hour commutes. Providing one of the five access points
across the American River, it is burdened by increased traffic
from Placer County and since it is the most desirable alternative
for a north south connection there has been a dramatic increase
in truck traffic. Hazel Avenue is fronted by residential properties,
making a desirable six lane alternative disruptive to the
community and possibly creating hazards to pedestrians and
homeowners. At traffic signals, several cycles will pass before
traffic can queue onto Hazel, causing near gridlock conditions
in the morning. Something needs to be done to reduce travel
times, decrease congestion, and the additional hazards of
cross traffic. As a primary connector from Highway 50 to I-80,
connecting the southeast Sacramento area with Placer County,
it is always going to have heavy demand. The corridor is approaching
or exceeding its capacity during peak hours. There is already
severe morning congestion south bound. Congestion occurs at
traffic signals, all of which need upgrading.
Many houses front on Hazel, with numerous driveways all along
the corridor. The left-turn access into and out of driveways
has safety and congestion consequences. Maintenance activities
would take the road down to one lane - if the County tried
to repave there would only be one lane and backups would swamp
the corridor.
Roseville has plans for 6 lanes throughout Placer County/Sierra
College Boulevard segment, and they are interested in coordinating
with Sacramento County to complete Hazel. Hazel is an important
connector and they would like to see it maintained as such.
The limited alternatives to Hazel are already heavily burdened,
and Hazel is more appropriate for trucks than Sunrise. There
are no realistic alternatives within the next 20 years. Sacramento
County needs to address this issue in the study, and the communities
of Fair Oaks, and Orangevale will have to come to evaluate
the potential effects in their neighborhoods.
It is time to reevaluate the corridor's design and to reengineer
it for maximum efficiency. Making a more efficient roadway
helps reduce air emissions. Coordinated signals for entire
length would help, and would help manage speeds. Fuel consumption
would also be reduced, and less valuable time would be spent
behind the wheel for both commuters and business deliveries.
People dealing with this daily commute have a lot at stake
with the improvements -- by minimizing commute times they
can increase time with family, enjoying homes and community,
and businesses can work more efficiently.
3. The region must move traffic more efficiently between
job centers.
Hazel is a major suburban to suburban corridor, in a portion
of the region that is low density and car dependent. Hazel
Avenue commuters do not have alternatives to the automobile.
There are only two express bus routes available on the corridor.
There is no light rail system accessibility and there are
no plans for the immediate future. The region is not going
to be building freeway connections, so major thoroughfares
must move as many people as possible. We need to enhance corridors
and spread out traffic. We must deal with this reality and
find ways to enhance flows. We also need to increase flows
and speeds to minimize air quality impacts.
Whatever improvements are provided on Hazel, in the absence
of a freeway or beltway, will serve as a way to tie work centers
in the east part of the County. Hazel is a local thoroughfare
serving as an interregional corridor because of the lack of
I-80 to Highway 50 options. The only way to avoid adding lane
capacity is to provide transit options such as dedicated bus
lanes to take advantage of the corridor, not just the roadway.
The needed capacity may be to bring people into Roseville,
not just out to Highway 50, as the Roseville job center expands
and increases congestion both ways on Hazel. Connecting these
expanding job centers with multi-modal capacity is an important
way of dealing with access to work issues. As great as our
economy is doing, if we are completely auto dependent, we
will destroy our quality of life. Yet, there currently are
no transit alternatives between Placer County, Folsom and
the Rancho Cordova job centers.
4. The route is ugly and hazardous.
Orangevale and Fair Oaks are proud communities that have a
history of wise investments, reduced growth, and abundant
natural beauty. The Hazel Avenue corridor should reflect the
community at large. We need to avoid creating a concrete corridor,
by providing landscaping and/or frontage roads. There is an
opportunity to incorporate a corridor identity with landscaping
to make the drive tolerable and to promote safety by separating
cyclists, equestrians and pedestrians from cars. Improved
aesthetics can reduce driving stress, which in turn decreases
road rage and aggressive driving and increases safety. Other
ways to provide access yet reduce conflicts in ways that will
increase safety must be investigated.
|
