Federal funds secured for White Rock Road Improvement Project

Folsom city leaders accepted $2 million in federal funds that will go toward the White Rock Road Improvement Project. The moneys were secured by Congressman Kevin Kiley. The project is part of the Capital Southeast Connector Joint Powers Authority. Mayor Justin Raithel and Councilmember Sarah Aquino were on hand for the event last week, along with Kiley and other regional dignitaries. The project aims to ease traffic congestion in the region and make traveling in the corridor safer while also providing more options for cyclists and pedestrians. The White Rock Road Improvement is part of the Capital SouthEast Connector Project, which spans 34 miles and will link the communities of El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Folsom and Rancho Cordova by connecting Interstate 5 with Highways 50 and 99. Project organizers say it would form a critical transportation corridor through the Sacramento region. The White Rock Road Improvement Project is a nine-mile section of the connector which runs along White Rock Road, connecting Grant Line Road to Highway 50. The project would provide parallel capacity to Highway 50, which is one of the most heavily used highways in the region. Other sections of the project include a six-mile segment of Interstate 5 and Highway 99 in collaboration with the city of Elk Grove and the longest section of the project at Grant Line Road. This part of the project is 19 miles and stretches between Highway 99 and White Rock Road. Advocates of the project say it will reduce greenhouse gases, pollutant emissions and dramatically reduce traffic congestion. The project when completed is also expected to be an economic boon to the region, linking residential areas with employment centers and easing the transportation of goods through the region.