Folsom approves $1.6 million for East Bidwell St. foot bridge

Folsom city officials moved forward last week to build a pedestrian bridge across East Bidwell Street near Iron Point Road. The City Council voted unanimously Jan. 27 for a $1.65 million contract with Wood Rogers to design the crossing. The council also approved a $1.1 million contract with the firm to design roadway improvements associated with the Sutter Health project at Broadstone Crossing II on the corner. The East Bidwell Pedestrian Overcrossing Project will provide a pedestrian bridge over Folsom's busy main drag. The bridge will connect east-side homes to retail, parks and schools on the west side. The crossing is expected to go somewhere between Via Sole and Iron Point Road, staff said. "The East Bidwell pedestrian overcrossing will provide a critical connection across one of Folsom's most congested corridors," said Folsom Parks & Recreation Director Kelly Gonzalez in her council report. The neighborhood features significant shopping centers, office parks, medical offices, essential services and destinations that generate intense, peak-hour congestion and challenges, said Gonzalez. There is no "grade-separated" (bridge or tunnel) crossing of East Bidwell in the area, and more pedestrian trips across at street level could increase the infamous traffic jams, staff explained. Early estimates for the actual bridge construction range from $9 million to $14 million with ground-breaking scheduled for June 2027. Although construction funding has not yet been identified, the Wood Rodgers contract includes finding grants and other support services for the bridge, staff said. The plan includes a 10-year window, but staff is aiming for more like five years, said Folsom Planner Desmond Parrington last fall. Meanwhile, the City Council also approved a $1.12 million consultant contract with Wood Rodgers to design improvements associated with the nearby Sutter Health project at Broadstone Crossing II. Improvements include turn lanes, lane striping and drainage. The traffic safety measures address worsening traffic conditions due to the project, based on a transportation impact study. The project is anticipated to cause new or worsen existing traffic at eight locations: East Bidwell St./Scholar Way, East Bidwell/Power Center Dr., East Bidwell/Broadstone Parkway, East Bidwell/Via Sole, East Bidwell/Kilrush Dr. (Via Felice), East Bidwell/Iron Point Road, East Bidwell/US 50 Eastbound ramps and Iron Point/Cavitt Dr. "While the project is expected to bring much-needed jobs and services to the region, it is also adding new traffic, pedestrian and bicycle demands that need to be carefully managed," said Folsom Public Works Director Rebecca Neves in her report to the council. Updated traffic signals are also on tap for multiple intersections from Scholar Way to Placerville Road, staff said.