Folsom welcomes new bridge
menkoji@sacbee.com
Published Friday, Mar. 27, 2009
For merchants in Folsom's Old Town, a new four-lane concrete road stretching across the American River promises a chance at renewed prosperity after six years of traffic nightmares and slumping sales.
Folsom Lake Crossing, the city's third bridge spanning the river, opens Saturday, diverting rush-hour traffic from a historic district that has suffered badly since the federal government closed the road atop Folsom Dam.
"You have no idea how happy we are about this bridge," said Jim Snook, a second-generation owner of Snooks Chocolate Factory and president of the Folsom Historical District Association.
The new 1,000-foot bridge – a $139 million, two-year project – is expected to convey 22,000 cars daily across the river and along a new two-mile stretch of road connecting East Natoma Street east of the river to Folsom- Auburn Road on the west.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks heightened security measures, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 2003 closed a two-lane road across the spine of the Folsom Dam where 18,000 cars crossed the river daily. The dam road, a few miles north of the historic downtown, was the main corridor for traffic between Placer and El Dorado counties.
Closing the road diverted that traffic south to Rainbow Bridge and onto the historic district's narrow, Gold Rush-era streets. Commuter traffic coursed through part of a 100-block designated historical area, sometimes bottlenecking at the two-lane bridge.
"It was gridlock here," said Snook, whose shop is on Sutter Street, the commercial corridor of the mostly residential historical district.
After attempts to get the road reopened failed, Folsom opted to build a new path across the river close to the old dam crossing. Construction began in 2007.
In the meantime, the city had attempted to ease congestion in the area, particularly on surrounding residential streets, by limiting left turns and adjusting stoplights. All the measures exasperated visitors trying to shop and dine in the historical downtown, merchants said.
Traffic congestion that frustrated or discouraged downtown visitors caused a collective 21 percent drop in business among 177 business owners, according to a 2004 survey by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Some merchants have complained the loss is even deeper.
"They've all been experiencing a downturn in sales in the last few years, and the economy hasn't helped," said Joe Luchi, the city's economic development director.
Businesses have closed, including several restaurants in the past few months, he said. Still, he said the vacancy rate is not alarming and the economy could have been a significant factor.
The downtown district generates significant sales tax revenue streams for the city. But Luchi said the significance of Old Town along Sutter Street surpasses any revenue figures.
"It's an important element of the city because it gives us our character," Luchi said.
Snook's store relocated away from the river before the dam road closed, which might have saved him from any serious drop in his own business. But as head of the historical association, he is helping to guide the much-anticipated turnaround.
"We want to create that mind-set now, that it's easy to get around here because there's no more commuters," he said, taking a break from candymaking a few days before the bridge opening.
Closer to the river on Sutter Street, Paula Watson offers jewelry, candles, crystals and other supplies for a new age lifestyle at Planet Earth Rising.
"We're all hurting here," said Watson from her desk in the back of the store.
She and co-owner Darrell Trimble opened seven years ago, just months before the dam road closed.
"They closed it right on us," she said.
Customers complained about long waits to cross the street and barricades that limited access, she said. Business dropped – then really fell when the recession hit.
Watson is hoping for a resurgence once the new bridge veers traffic away.
"We're definitely looking forward to that," she said.
Bobbi Eddy bought her Old Town store – Not Too Shabby – after the road closed six years ago. She welcomes the new route. But for Eddy, the dismal economy is the more looming issue.
Thursday was a bright, warm day – perfect for browsing. But by mid-afternoon, only four customers wandering through Eddy's vintage furniture store had shelled out money to buy goods. Total take: less than $30.
"The bottom line is there is more wrong here than the closed dam road," Eddy said.
Besides the hit to businesses, congestion in the historic district increased traffic accidents and slowed emergency response, said Folsom City Councilman Andy Morin, who was mayor at the 2007 groundbreaking.
He was part of a city team that cobbled together financing, largely federal and state money awarded because of the project's flood-control benefits. The city's $32 million share is mostly from Sacramento County's 2006 half-cent sales tax.
Folsom gained a four-lane bridge with bike and pedestrian lanes and room to grow, Morin said. The capacity of the concrete span is 40,000 cars daily.
"At the end of the day, it wouldn't have been done as quickly if there wasn't a sense of urgency," Morin said.
To mark opening day, Snook created special foil-wrapped chocolate coins for the city to commemorate the new bridge.
"Everyone is just so thrilled," he said.
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