A New Rancho Cordova Structure
Downtown Sacramento may be getting all the press for its newly approved I Street bridge, but the city of Rancho Cordova is also on its way to enjoying a brand new pedestrian and bicycle bridge that will over cross Highway 50 and unite the two halves of the city, which are bisected by the highway. The contract between Rancho Cordova City Council and architectural firm Dewberry Drake Haglan was approved on February 18, 2020. The contract cost is $3.8 million, and the design of the project will likely take more than a year due to the very detailed structural engineering required.
The new overpass will run adjacent to the heavily-trafficked thoroughfare Zinfandel Drive. Zinfandel currently has sidewalks and bike lanes but the new structure will completely separate pedestrians and bicyclists from vehicle traffic in an effort to encourage residents of Rancho Cordova to walk or bike to work. The new structure will provide a safer and more pleasant passage for non-vehicle commuters.
Design Features
The lead architect on the project has explained that there are stringent geometric constraints involved in the design of the bridge. One potential idea is to start the overcrossing within the loops created by the Highway 50 on-ramps and off-ramps. It is agreed by all involved that innovative engineering will be required, which explains the lengthy design timeline as well as the nearly $4 million price tag.
Like the new I Street Bridge in Sacramento, this new Rancho Cordova project is intended to go beyond boring and utilitarian, to create a structure with eye-catching architectural elements, and one that will draw residents towards its use. It is also hoped to be an iconic visual feature of Highway 50 travel, one that will welcome visitors to the city of Rancho Cordova.
Connecting North and South
Many large businesses are headquartered in Rancho Cordova on the south side of the highway, including several insurance companies and financial institutions. One of the city’s biggest employers, VSP Vision Care maintains its multi-building campus there as well. The move of so many businesses to the region has turned Rancho Cordova into a burgeoning urban center, and many feel that having modern upgrades such as this well-designed bridge is especially important as the region continues to grow.
The north side of the freeway is home to numerous retail and commercial hubs and the new overcrossing will connect the job center side with the retail and commercial side. It will also facilitate students traveling to and from school on foot or bicycle, and provide access to the public transit station.
Next Steps
Once the design plans are completed and approved, the construction schedule will be dependent upon the city obtaining grant funding, which is expected to match local funding for the project. The cost of the actual construction of the overcrossing is estimated to exceed $15 million.
As Sacramento and its surrounding cities continue to boom, we can expect to see more artistic and functional landmarks such as these spring up throughout the metropolitan area.
Watch YouTube Video: Rancho Cordova, California. Get a bird’s eye view of the commercial and residential areas of Rancho Cordova in this drone video.
Car Accident Lawyer in Rancho Cordova
I’m Ed Smith, a Rancho Cordova car accident lawyer. Negligent actions while driving can result in injuries to others. If you have been the injured party in such a scenario, my firm may be able to assist you in seeking monetary compensation. If you would like to reach out to me for free and friendly advice, my local phone number is (916) 921-6400 and I am also available at (800) if you are out of the 916 area code. If you prefer to contact me via computer, please click for my online contact form.
My office has helped many within the Rancho Cordova community throughout the over 38 years I’ve been practicing in the area. We have serious experience with cases involving traffic accidents, wrongful death cases, and brain injuries.
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Photo Attribution: Philip Barrington on Pixabay
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