What has been a real problem for Folsom commuters since the Folsom Dam bridge road was closed appears closer to resolution.
An excerpt.
Lawmakers OK plan for bridge
The span, which would cross the American River in Folsom, is expected to ease traffic woes.
By Judy Lin -- Bee Capitol Bureau Published 12:01 am PDT Wednesday, August 23, 2006
The Legislature has cleared a path for Folsom to build a $105 million bridge across the American River -- bringing the city one step closer to easing traffic for at least 15,000 daily commuters.
A land-purchase bill written by Sen. Dave Cox, R-Fair Oaks, unanimously passed the Senate on Tuesday and will go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk for consideration.
"There are multiple steps to this process, and every time we get through one, it's a shorter path to getting this thing built," said Folsom Mayor Andy Morin.
Cox's Senate Bill 1536 allows the city to purchase 14 acres of Folsom prison and Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, along with two small privately owned parcels needed to construct the bridge.
Folsom officials have been pushing for the bridge since the federal Bureau of Reclamation closed the two-lane road over Folsom Dam in February 2003, amid fears of a terrorist attack.
Vehicles were diverted through the narrow streets of the city's historic district, causing traffic headaches and hurting local businesses.
