Suisun City's Streets are Bay Area's 'Most Improved'

CITY'S $4.7 MILLION INVESTMENT IS SHOWING SIGNIFICANT RESULTS

SUISUN CITY – Suisun City had the ‘most improved’ street system of any Bay Area city in 2009, according to the annual road maintenance assessment released by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission this week.

Suisun City’s pavement condition index improved by 20 points in 2009, and was the highest single-year jump of any Bay Area city or county in 2009, earning Suisun City the MTC’s Most Improved Award. The single year improvement pushed the City’s rating to 68, the highest since 2001, and moves the overall condition of the City’s streets from ‘at risk’ to ‘fair.’ (The top of the index is 100.)

However, the index increase does not include the completion of the Sunset Avenue rehabilitation project or the 2009 street maintenance project. The impact of those projects will be seen in the 2010 rating.

The 20-point improvement pushed Suisun City’s three-year average score also up by 5 points to 55. Solano County was the only other local agency to post an increase in 2009.

“For comparison purposes across the Bay Area, MTC uses the three-year average rating of 55,” said City Manager Suzanne Bragdon. “But given the incredible improvements we’ve made to our streets in the last three years, the three-year average doesn’t tell the true story. Our residents have a right to know that our rating today is 68. This Spring, it will jump even higher.”

The improved score is the result of the City Council’s commitment of significant resources to improve the City’s road conditions. Since 2005, the City has invested $4.7 million into street improvements through the annual summer street maintenance program, special projects and a partnership with the Solano Irrigation District to coordinate water main replacements. The result has been resurfacing of 36 miles of streets, or 50% of the citywide total.

Another $1 million of street work is already planned for 2010.

In 2008, Public Works began using the rubberized asphalt process. Cheaper and more durable than a traditional asphalt overlay, the process has allowed Suisun City to resurface more than 60 of the City’s worst street segments and extend their life by at least 10 years.

>>See the MTC Press Release>>

Sandbags Now Available

SUISUN CITY - With forecasts of moderate to heavy rain starting this weekend, now is the time to make final preparations if your home is in an area prone to street flooding.

Two self-serve sandbag stations are located near the Fire Station on Pintail Avenue and behind City Hall near the Solano Yacht Club.  Bring a shovel to fill sandbags, but please don't take more than you need to make sure there are enough for all who need them.

Public Works crews have checked and cleared all the street drains and main storm drains. Check the roof drains on your home and on your property to ensure they are performing properly.  Remove any build up fallen leaves to ensure they don't clog your drains.

If you see any flooding situations, please stay clear and report them to the Public Safety dispatch center at 707-421-7373.

For maps and more information, please visit the weather link at www.suisun.com.

Railroad work to impact Capitol Corridor schedules

For all of our local Capitol Corridor commuters and other riders, we wanted to pass along this info from today's Vacaville Reporter and this Capitol Corridor link for more info:

Union Pacific Railroad will begin Phase 1 of a two-phase track infrastructure project, which will affect Capitol Corridor service.

Starting Monday (Jan. 18), Phase I involves upgrading tracks between Capitol Corridor's Suisun/Fairfield and Sacramento stations.

To accommodate work crews, from Monday through Feb. 14, Capitol Corridor will run on a modified schedule and a bus bridge from Sacramento to Suisun will be in effect for some late-morning and mid-day trains.

This work is designed to keep the railroad in good condition so trains can operate safely and reliably.

Four trains will be suspended during the construction period to give Union Pacific extra time to work. Eastbound trains No. 534 and No. 746 and Westbound trains No. 533 and No. 745 will not operate Monday to Feb. 14.

Some changes to connecting motorcoach bus service will also occur as a result of the work.

Temporary train schedules are available at staffed stations or online at www.capitolcorridor.org. Passengers may also call (877) 974-3322 for assistance.