Sonoma County’s efforts to make infrastructure improvements in the area has received a boost with $1.5 million in additional federal funding, the office of Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, announced.
Sonoma County Transportation Authority officials last week received the $1.5 million check from Thompson, to be used on the State Route 121/12/8th Street East Intersection Improvements project. The lawmaker’s office said it secured this funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding package.
“The improvements planned for 8th Street and 121 will improve safety and support local and tourist travel,” Sonoma County Transportation Authority Executive Director Suzanne Smith said in a statement.
“Investing in our infrastructure is investing in our future, and this project will help to keep our community in Sonoma safe.”
Rep. Mike Thompson
The roundabout project incorporates Vision Zero strategies by reducing the number of conflict points at the intersection and forcing vehicles to reduce speeds as they approach the intersection, improving safety for all users, Thompson’s office said.
The project is expected to minimize vehicle idle times and encourage multi-modal users by incorporating safety features for bicycles and pedestrians crossing State Route 121/12.
Improvements on the roundabout will also help connect the proposed Sonoma Schellville Trail with the planned San Francisco Bay Trail to the south, Thompson’s office said.
“Investing in our infrastructure is investing in our future, and this project will help to keep our community in Sonoma safe,” Thompson said in a statement. “This project is a win-win for our community, and I look forward to seeing the new intersection help keep drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists safe.”
The $1.5 million will be used for the environmental clearance and design of the proposed project and would be directly matched by $375,000 in local funds, the lawmaker’s office said.