Folsom puts 120 traffic lights on master grid for $5 million

The city is spending $5 million to coordinate 120 Folsom traffic signals on a master Caltrans grid. The Folsom City Council approved an agreement with Caltrans on March 24 for the Intelligent Transportation Systems Master Plan fiber optic project. The plan includes new ITS equipment such as advanced traffic signal controllers, closed-circuit TV cameras to monitor traffic flow and fiber optic equipment to fill gaps. The project includes signal performance software to adjust signal timing and identify maintenance issues for more than 120 traffic signals throughout Folsom. "The improvements will enhance the City's ability to monitor traffic conditions in real time, improve signal coordination and respond more quickly to congestion and maintenance needs," Josh Kincade of Public Works said in the council report. The ITS project was included in the fiscal year 2025-26 capital improvement plan with a $5 million-plus budget. Transportation improvement funds were used as matching funds for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments grant. City staff worked with Caltrans to use toll credits to offset the local match obligation. Folsom can then reallocate the funds to other critical transportation projects, saving more than $650,000, staff said. The breakdown of total project grant funding is: 2022 – Highway Infrastructure Program Design, $114,507; 2022 – Regional Surface Transportation Design, $785,493; 2026 – RSTP Construction, $4,816,000. Total project grant funding is $5,716,000.