Richards Boulevard / I-80 Interchange Improvements

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RICHARDS BOULEVARD / I-80 COMMUNITY MEETING

Richards Boulevard / I-80 Interchange Improvements Community Meeting - July 7, 2022

Project Description – Richards Blvd/ I-80 Interchange Improvements

This project will improve traffic operations and multimodal safety at the interchange by reconfiguring the ramps and adding a grade separated shared-use path. This project has existed in concept for many years, and has been working in parallel with the Caltrans Managed Lanes Project. The project will reconfigure the existing west bound I-80 on ramp, and off ramps to a “tight diamond” interchange, and construct a grade separated multi use path to cross the Richards Boulevard overpass. There will also be intersection improvements at Richards Boulevard, and Olive Drive, Eastbound I-80, and Research Park Drive. Once the “tight diamond” interchange improvements are complete, the project will permanently close the Westbound I-80 off ramp to Olive Drive.

Draft Geometric Approval Drawing

Background

The Richards Boulevard corridor is a major entry to the City of Davis as well as a key connector between South Davis and the downtown. Parts of the corridor were upgraded in the 1990s, but other areas are sub-optimal for all types of travelers. Approximately 400 bicyclists and 200 pedestrians cross the Richards Boulevard interchange every day. North of I-80, between the freeway and the Richards underpass, the Richards Boulevard interchange is a four-quadrant cloverleaf. The interchange configuration, in which all vehicle movements are uncontrolled, results in high vehicle speeds onto and off from the freeway ramps. These high-speed movements create a safety concern for all modes on Richards Boulevard, particularly bicyclists and pedestrians. There are currently four uncontrolled conflict points between bicyclists and vehicles due to the configuration of the I-80 Westbound ramps.

The most severe of these weave movements occurs on northbound Richards Boulevard at the I-80 Westbound off-ramp. Pedestrians crossing the on- or off-ramps cross high-speed vehicles in uncontrolled, unmarked crosswalks. Vehicles from the off-ramps that merge with Richards Boulevard traffic must look over their shoulders at a tight angle to judge gaps in traffic, all while paying attention to the signal at Richards Boulevard/Olive Drive and avoiding bicyclists on Richards Boulevard. Between 2003 and 2012, 15 collisions at the Richards Boulevard interchange north of I-80 resulted in an injury. Five of these collisions involved bicyclists.

Over the past decades, the City has evaluated possible improvements to the Richards Boulevard Interchange that would eliminate the free right turns, reduce the “weave” movements, and improve comfort and safety for users of various modes. One option is a “tight diamond” with on/off ramps similar to those on the north side of the Mace Boulevard interchange. Improvements to the Richards interchange are included in the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Metropolitan Transportation Plan, but unfunded and with a current schedule date of 2020 (planning) and 2022 (construction).

Project Cost and Funding Sources

Commission Reviews

The design was presented to the Bicycle, Transportation, and Street Safety Commission on April 12, 2018, and September 9, 2021.

September 9, 2021 Staff Report (PDF)

April 12, 2018 Staff Report (PDF)

Agenda

https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/commissions-and-committees/bicycling-transportation-and-street-safety-commission/agendas

Minutes

September 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes (PDF)

April 12, 2018 Meeting Minutes (PDF)

City Council Reviews

May 18, 2021 - Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans (PDF)