Group Pushes Pedestrian Projects In Solano

Group Pushes Pedestrian Projects In Solano
By Barry Eberling

SUISUN CITY - A group of citizens who like to walk are rating priority pedestrian projects for Solano County and its cities, with improvements along West Texas Street in Fairfield and the Rio Vista waterfront among the contenders.

The Pedestrian Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Solano Transportation Authority. Proposed projects on the priority list will compete for the grants and other money that could make them a reality.

Committee members will vote on a priority list when they meet at 6 p.m. today at the STA conference room, One Harbor Center, Suite 130, in Suisun City.

The committee asked for the county and cities to submit potential projects. It sifted through 25 contenders, with a subcommittee coming up with the proposed top seven projects. Committee chairwoman Eva Laevastu said the projects could make a difference for pedestrians.

"They will provide the opportunity," she said. "Then the question is whether or not you can entice people to actually get out of their cars and walk."

The recommended priority projects are:

-- Rio Vista waterfront improvements. The city wants to beautify its waterfront along the Sacramento River and link it to the downtown with a public walkway from City Hall to the Rio Vista bridge. This could cost more than $2 million.

-- Pedestrian improvements along the proposed North Connector Road that is to link Fairfield's Green Valley area with central Fairfield near Abernathy Road. Ideas include items such as separating bike and walking paths.

-- A bike and walking path in Old Town Cordelia on Cordelia Road.

-- Pedestrian improvements on West Texas Street in Fairfield.

-- A bike and pedestrian bridge in Benicia on State Park Road crossing Interstate 780.

-- A pedestrian crossing at the railroad tracks in Dixon at West B Street, near the future train station.

-- Better paths linking the Vallejo Baylink ferry dock, the ferry terminal building and a proposed parking structure and bus stops.

Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646, Ext. 232, or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.