Sonoma’s Broadway is formally a state highway, so any work and improvement is up to Caltrans. This summer, because Caltrans is set to repave and restripe Sonoma’s entry boulevard, the city has a rare opportunity to request changes to how vehicle and bike traffic is handled along the route, between MacArthur and Napa Streets.
The city has devised three restriping options, including reducing the number of car lanes from two to one, and is calling for public input on the final choice. See the options and take the survey at Sonomacity.org.
Each plan integrates a dedicated bike lane, on the traffic side or along the sidewalk, while keeping existing parking, landscaping and intersections.
According to a traffic study undertaken by the city, one travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane would be sufficient for existing (about 8k vehicles a day) and future traffic volumes (11k) on Broadway. Each of the three proposed configurations is expected to comfortably carry 11,000 vehicles per day.
Improving safety and visibility of bike lanes should increase ridership, according to the traffic study.
The potential enhancements would take advantage of Caltrans’ planned State Route 12 project. set to begin this summer and last about a year, the project will improve pavement condition from about Boyes Boulevard to Napa Road-Leveroni Road.
The deadline for public input is Friday, March 27. After reviewing the results, the city council will vote on April 6. Its final recommendation will then be sent to Caltrans for consideration.
Here’s an idea… how about the city figure out how to bring the pavement (that will get all important new lines and striping) up from third-world standards? The condition of the streets in this town are an embarrassment. No wonder Napa has become the place people want to visit instead of this tired, run-down place. Sonoma rests on its laurels, well here’s some news… Sonoma is for aging baby boomers, who like to visit bric a brac stores while Napa has many times more (and better) restaurants, hotels, shopping and tasting options.
A ridiculous plan!! You want to cut the main
artery lanes to Sonoma for what? Cyclists?
Who did the traffic study and what was the duration
of the survey?
I’ve lived here for 23 years and shared the roads comfortably from both sides. This project is a waste of
of time!