SR-12

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is set to complete works on a $21m project to create a ‘smart corridor’ on State Route 12 (SR-12) in Solano, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties as well as on Interstate 5 (I-5) in San Joaquin county.

The Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) equipment, which is being installed on SR-12 and I-5, comprises five electronic message signs and four closed-circuit television cameras that will help motorists make informed decisions.

Nearly 2,300 cameras that monitor freeways across California offer live streaming video to the public.

Caltrans director Malcolm Dougherty said, "This technology will make these highways safer for everyone and provide motorists real-time information they can use to make smart choices and steer clear of traffic incidents, roadwork, and bad weather."

"This technology will make these highways safer for everyone and provide motorists real-time information they can use to make smart choices and steer clear of traffic incidents, roadwork, and bad weather."

The project also includes expansion of the existing park and ride lot at SR-12/Thornton Road and improved key intersections at Tower Park Way, Glasscock Road, Correia Road and Guard Road, in order to improve traffic flow and safety conditions.

San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) executive director Andrew Chesley said, "This project opening is an important step but just one of the steps in the continuing effort to improve safety, operations and maintenance of SR-12 in San Joaquin county."

As part of its further attempts to make SR-12 safer, Caltrans is also set to undertake a $47m safety project on Bouldin Island that will involve construction of a concrete median barrier on the route to prevent vehicles from straying into approaching traffic.

This project will also widen the highway shoulders to increase safety.

In addition, the state will replace an old stretch of the highway between the Potato Slough Bridge and the Mokelumne River Bridge with a new and smoother pavement.

Image: The latest project by Caltrans includes the creation of a ‘smart corridor’ on State Route 12 (SR-12) in Solano, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. Photo courtesy of Boereck.