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WEBVTT KATHY: THE EVENING RUSH INDAVIS TYPICALLY LOOKS LIKE THISSO COMMUTERS HEADING HOME OR, INTO SACRAMENTO ARE FAMILIARWITH A ROUTE THAT CANPOTENTIALLY SHAVE A FEW MINUTESBEHIND THE WHEEL.YOU CAN TELL IF ITS BACKEDUP, LET'S TAKE THE FRONTAGE ROADAND GET RIGHT ON.KATH THE INTERSECTION OFCOUNTY ROAD 105 AND 32A HABECOME A WELL-USED SHORTCUT FORANDI JACKSON.>> NO ONE WANTS TO SIT ITRAFFIC AND WAIT, OBVIOUSLY.SO GETTING TO BE ABLE TO GETAROUND IT IS A LITTLE NICER.KATHY: BUT UNION PACIFIC SAYSTHIS CROSSING HAS BECOMENOTORIOUS FOR ACCIDENTS.>> IT SIMPLY IS NOT SAFE.KATHY: THE SPEED LIMIT AROUNDTHIS CURVE IS JUST 10 MPH BUTTHERE ARE VISIBLE SIGNS THATDRIVERS ARE GOING MUCH FASTERTHAN THAT.>> MOST OF THE CRASHES AREPEOPLE MISSING THIS CORNER, ANDTHEN GOING OFF THE ROAD HEREKATH THAT'S WHY LONGTIME DAVISRESIDENT AND CYCLIST JOHN SWANNSUPPORTS AN INITIATIVE BY UNIONPACIFIC TO BRING CHANGE TO THISCORRIDOR, IMPROVING SAFETY INTHE BIKE LAN>> WHAT USED TO BE THE WESTBOUNDLANE WOULD BECOME A TWO-WAYCYCLE TRACK, AND IT WOULD BESEPARATED BY A CEMENT K-RAIL.KATHY: THAT'S ONE SUGGESTION.ANOTHER OPTION COULD BE CLOSINGTHE CROSSING TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC.IF THEY'RE GOING TO CLOSE IT,THEN WE'RE GOING TO LOOK FORSOME WAYS TO MITIGATE THOSEIMPACTS.KATH THE CITY OF DAVIS, YOLOCOUNTY, AND THE CALIFORNIA FARMBUREAU FEDERATION HAVE FILEDPROTESTS AGAINST UNION PACIFIC'SREQUEST. BUT THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TOPARTICIPATE IN A VOLUNTARYMEDIATION PROGRAM TO DISCUSS A

Advertisement Safety concerns could close popular Davis shortcut Union Pacific proposes closing railroad crossing on County Road 32A Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A popular shortcut for Davis commuters could close due to ongoing safety concerns. Union Pacific filed an application with the state's public utilities commission asking to change, relocate or close the railroad crossing on County Road 32A. Davis commuter Selene Jackson said Frontage Road, which runs parallel to Interstate 80, helps shave a few minutes during rush hour."You don't have to wait for three lights to get through," Jackson said. Union Pacific stated in its application that the crossing has become notorious for accidents."It simply is not safe," bicycle advocate and Bike Davis member John Swann said. "Most of the crashes are people missing this corner and then going off the road."The speed limit nearing the railroad crossing is 10 mph, but Swann said there are visible signs that drivers are going faster than the posted speed limit.Swann said members of Bike Davis support changes to the corridor that would improve safety, especially in the bike lane."What used to be the westbound lane would become a two-way cycle track and would be separate by a k-rail," Swann said. Another proposal could close the crossing to vehicle traffic."If they're going to close it, then we're going to look for some ways to mitigate those impacts," Davis Mayor Robb Davis said. The city of Davis, Yolo County and the California Farm Bureau Federation have filed protests against Union Pacific's request, but they all have a chance to participate in a voluntary mediation program to discuss a compromise.Davis said the city's been in talks with Caltrans about a separate project on the I-80 corridor that could also improve safety in the area for drivers and cyclists.