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Folsom council approves Wood Rogers contracts for East Bidwell pedestrian crossing and street improvements
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Summary
The council approved two design and engineering consultant agreements with Wood Rogers for an East Bidwell pedestrian overcrossing (design budget $1,852,000; contract $1,652,000) and operational street improvements (not‑to‑exceed design contract $1,120,000), and continued a tourism‑district hearing to Feb. 24 at Choose Folsom's request.
The Folsom City Council on Jan. 27 approved design and engineering consulting agreements with Wood Rogers Inc. for two East Bidwell corridor projects: a pedestrian overcrossing and a package of operational street improvements.
Ryan Eaves, capital project manager for Parks and Recreation, recommended awarding a contract of $1,652,000 for design and engineering of the East Bidwell pedestrian overcrossing and said the total design budget including staff time is $1,852,000, within a developer commitment cap of $2.5 million established in the Broadstone Crossing 2 development agreement (ordinance 13 54). Eaves said the scope includes alternative alignment analysis, CEQA and NEPA environmental clearance, preliminary and final engineering, right‑of‑way work, and grant‑application assistance to pursue federal construction funding.
Zach Bosch, senior civil engineer in Public Works, presented the related East Bidwell operational improvements scope—left‑turn lane conversions and extensions, intersection improvements at East Bidwell and Iron Point, pavement rehabilitation and enhanced bike markings—and recommended a not‑to‑exceed design contract of $1,120,000. Bosch said some construction funding would come from developer obligations and some pavement work is expected to use local gas tax funds.
Council members discussed alignment options and whether the overcrossing should include architectural/gateway elements; staff said the consultant scope includes multiple aesthetic design concepts and public outreach. Council also discussed right‑of‑way needs and staff said outreach and negotiation with affected property owners would begin once a consultant is on board; staff emphasized a preference to avoid eminent domain if possible.
Council approved both resolutions by roll call. The meeting also included a motion to continue the public hearing on Resolution 11539 (modifying the Folsom Tourism Business Improvement District) to the second meeting in February at the request of Choose Folsom; the continuance passed 3–2 (Rohrbach yes; Aquino no; Kozlowski yes; Larry no; Rayfill yes). The council unanimously appointed John Lane to the Folsom Historic District Commission earlier in the meeting.
With the approvals, staff said preliminary engineering and environmental work will begin immediately and that the overcrossing design schedule aims for final design by October 2027 to position the project for competitive grant funding and potential 2027 construction.
