The Folsom Boulevard Beautification and Enhancement Project in Rancho Cordova has been named the Project of the Year in the Transportation Category $10 Million to $30 Million by the Sacramento Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA).

The 3.5 mile project was completed in 2012 spanning Folsom Boulevard from Rod Beaudry Drive to Kilgore Road in Rancho Cordova. Improving all modes of transportation was a key component of the project that also aimed to beautify the boulevard and drive economic development opportunities.

Soon after incorporation in 2003, the City of Rancho Cordova began to reinvest in its “Main Street” of Folsom Boulevard. The boulevard holds historical significance once serving as a route for Pony Express riders in the 1860s and acting as Highway 50 until the new freeway was built in the 1970s.

“The Folsom Boulevard Project brought a community feel back to Rancho Cordova’s main street for residents and businesses,” said City Senior Engineer Albert Stricker. “Cityhood provided the opportunity to reinvent the boulevard, and our City Council and staff leadership steered the project to completion.”

Construction of a sidewalk along the south side of the boulevard and four new signals aimed to increase walkability on the corridor and access opportunities to light rail stations. Resurfaced streets and the addition of bike lanes and bike detection areas at signals create a safer ride for drivers and bikers alike.

The City’s proactive effort to tap in to Community Design Grants and Safe Routes to School funding stretched traditional local, state and federal dollars to construct all phases of the project. A Safe Routes to School grant, for example, provided a safer walk to school for students at Kinney High School through installation of a high visibility crosswalk and sidewalk along the boulevard.

The investment in transportation infrastructure has jump started economic growth along the boulevard. Notably, the Los Rios Community College District will begin construction next year of a satellite campus on Folsom Boulevard across from the Mather Mills light rail station.

“The award is a testament to a nine-year project that accomplished one of our first objectives of cityhood,” said Rancho Cordova Mayor Linda Budge. “We have restored beauty and pride to an old state highway that was a huge swath of concrete through our City, opened up opportunities for private investment, and constructed the first sidewalks on the south side since the Sacramento Valley Rail Way was built in 1869! It is very rewarding to see people enjoy being able to move safely along Folsom Boulevard. This is truly a ‘Complete Street’.”

The City will continue to pursue further grants to revitalize other areas along Folsom Boulevard.

For more information please visit http://www.cityofranchocordova.org or contact Rancho Cordova City Engineer Albert Stricker at (916) 851-8713.