The free luncheon is open to the first 80 who RSVP. It begins at noon and ends at 1 p.m.

RSVP by emailing Rebecca@50corridor.com before May 16th.

All elementary schools in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District and in El Dorado County are eligible to compete.

Starting week two, Green Valley School has logged the most carpool trips with Camino School logging the most school walk trips and school bus trips. FCUSD's Navigator Elementary has logged the most school bike trips. 

Students have all month to register their trips. For students to sign up or to monitor the competition, go to www.SmartRoutesToSchool.com.

The Smart Routes program is part of the 50 Corridor TMA's effort to reduce school-related trips along the corridor. Kaiser Permanente is the funding sponsor for the May competition.

Parents or school representatives can get posters to promote the program by emailing rebecca@50corridor.com.

This campaign encourages bicycling by recognizing that all your trips by bicycle are important - errands made by bicycle instead of by car, recreational cycling for health and fitness, and bicycle commuting.

To date, Franchise Tax Board has the most registrants with 148, followed by Intel (34) and Vision Service Plan (19).

For more information, go to www.mayisbikemonth.com/.

Once you're on the site, click on Register Now! in the menu at the right. Help the region achieve its Million Mile goal by pledging your cycling miles and start logging them on May 1. (miles logged in the Commuter Club will automatically be counted.)

Theere's a new feature that makes it easy and fun to challenge your friends or co-workers, and once again we have friendly challenges among employers.

You can also make nominations for a Bike Friendly Award. Categories include:

- Bike Friendly Employer
- Bicycling Advocate of the Year
- Commuter Cyclist of the Year
- Student Cyclist of the Year

Winners will be selected at a local level, then advance to the regional level to compete with other local winners for the Regional Award. Deadline for entries is Friday, May 9th. Regional Winners will be announced May 23rd.

This off-road bike ride will demonstrate a section of the rail-trail anticipated for construction at the end of the summer. Please bring a bike suitable for off-road riding and a helmet. Lunch will be provided for participants if you pre-register by Friday, May 2 to jrice@edctc.org. Meet at Building A of the El Dorado County Government Center located at 330 Fair Lane in Placerville.

Motorists are being advised to use the I-80 Rocklin Road Interchange as an alternate route and to expect delays. Changeable message signs have been placed along the highway alerting motorists of the closure and to mark the detour provided. Unexpected schedule changes may occur, motorists are advised to check roadside message boards for the latest closure information.

This closure is part of the $25 million project to rebuild and modernize the I-80 Sierra College Blvd. Interchange. This project will upgrade the overcrossing to five lanes, install bike lanes and increase the vertical clearance. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2008.

A $42 billion package of transportationimprovements planned for the region over the next 28 years contains several project in and around Rancho Cordova.

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) approved the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for 2035 last week. Two years in the making, the plan attempts to tackle the question of how to keep traffic moving and air clean as the region grows by another million people over the next 30 years.

The projects which will most directly benefit Rancho Cordova include enhancements along the Highway 50 Corridor and proposed Elk Grove-Rancho Cordova-El Dorado connector:

Express buses running the US 50 capool lanes with higher frequencies.

Bus rapid transit and enhances bus service through the Sacramento State campus, connecting to the 65th Street Light Rail Station.

Additional new transit services for ADA paratransit, neighborhood shuttles and increased local bus service.

A streetcar starter line at the Rancho Cordova Town Center ($88 million) This would include a seven-mileloop that would cross over US 50 to the south and reconnect to another light rail station. That project is slated for 2017.

Track improvements between Sunrise Boulevard and downtown Folsom ($80 million).

New light rail stations at Horn Road and the former Mineshaft location ($8 million).

Grade separations which will bring light rail trains over or under Bradshaw Road, Mather Field Road, Routier Road and Zinfandel Drive ($100 million).

Construction of the new Easton Valley Parkway parallel to US 50 between the new Rancho Cordova Parkway andHazel extensiosn (six lanes): east to Prairie City Road with four lanes ($90 million).

Construction of new auxiliary lanes between El Dorado County and Sunrise Boulevard ($65 million)

New carpool lanes from Sunrise Boulevard west to WattAvenue ($165 million)

Rancho Cordova area improvements planned as part of the Elk Grove-Rancho Cordova-El Dorado connector project include:

BRT/enahnced bus service connecting South Sacramento to Rancho Cordova via Florin, Bradshaw and Old Placerville Roads.

BRT/enhanced bus service between Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova via Bradshaw and Grant Line Roads and Sunrise Boulevards.

New bus connections between El Dorado County and Rancho Cordova via White Rock Road, Oron Point Road and Folsom Blvd.

Additional new transit includes ADA paratransit, neighborhood shuttles in Rancho Cordova,increased local bus services throughout Rancho Cordova and expanded freeway express bus service on US 50.

Grant Line Road expanded to four lanes between Bradshaw Road and White Rock Road with right of way preserved for later expansions ($49 million)

White Road Road widened to six lanes and operational improvements from Rancho Cordova Parkway to El Dorado Hills ($272 million).

Old Pacerville Road improvements combined with a new six lane International Drive parallel to US 50 ($156 million)

New Hazel Avenue extension from US 50 to White RockRoad ($33 million).

The article goes on to say that some projects will begin almost immediately, others will take years.

The CSMP provides for the provides for the integrated management of travel modes and roadways so as to facilitate the efficient and effective mobility of people and goods within California's most congested transportation corridors. Each CSMP presents an analysis of existing and future traffic conditions and proposes traffic management strategies and transportation improvements to maintain and enhance mobility.

The off-ramp from eastbound U.S. 50 to Missouri Flat Road is also completely closed weeknights through April 18th, 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. each evening Monday through Thursday. In addition, the ramp will be closed from 9 p.m. until 8 a.m. every Friday night. The off-ramp will remain open daily with reduced traffic lanes to allow for the reconstruction of the off-ramp in stages. During this time, the right through lane on southbound Missouri Flat Road will also be closed between the eastbound off-ramp and Motherlode Drive.

When the eastbound off-ramp is closed, no other ramps at the U.S. 50/Missouri Flat Road interchange will be closed. Traffic on U.S. 50 and on Missouri Flat Road will not be affected.

The night time ramp closures are being utilized to minimize impacts to daytime motorists during reconstruction of the ramp.

Construction on the U.S. 50 - Missouri Flat Road Interchange is expected to be completed in fall 2008.

The building features more than 300 free parking spaces, most with a three hour time limit to accommodate Sutter Street visitors. The $13.6 million structure also includes a ground level bike station and 4,000 square feet of retail space.

Opening festivities will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, entertainment provided by a mixed barbershop quartet, classic cars courtesy of the Cappuccino Cruisers, pedicabs and refreshments.

The brick-façade building features a 19th century architectural design that complements the historic buildings on Sutter Street. The building has a large clock tower facing Sutter Street, three-story window openings, distinctive iron work and a parapet that camouflages rooftop parking.   

“Many community members had a hand in the extensive design review process for this distinctive new building, and we think they will be very pleased with the end result,” said Mayor Eric King. “After it opens, we’ll see many more exciting changes on Sutter Street. The Railroad Block Partners will soon break ground for the Historic Folsom Station, with four buildings for retail, restaurants, office and residential uses, and a public plaza. And, a facelift for four blocks of Sutter Street is also on the horizon as part of a revitalization program.”            

The Historic District parking structure project architect was Stantec, Sacramento and the contractor was Howard S. Wright Construction.

Click on the "Learn More" button to the right and you'll find a link to the on-line survey. The survey takes about 2 minutes to complete. The information from the survey will be used by transit providers, including Roseville Transit, El Dorado Transit and Regional Transit to evaluate potential new service. Results will be reported in May.

The real time traffic is still here, with a few more camera options. And Corridor Talk continues to chatter on as before.

New features include our own version of YouTube, new electronic commuter postcards, and a special interactive section dedicated to improved transit along the 50 Corridor.

You can also see who makes 50corridor.com possible, as we have listed our funding sponsors right on the home page.

Visit us often and experience a calmer commute!

Motorist traveling on I-5, State Highway 113 and State Highway 128 on Tuesday, February 19 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. can expect intermittent delays as competitors in the “Tour of California” bike race travel through Sacramento and Yolo Counties:

State Highway 113 (Davis and Yolo County): at the Russell Blvd. off-ramp. Traffic will be detoured to Hutchinson Blvd. to the south and Covell Blvd. to the north. Local police will be managing traffic in Davis.

State Highway 128 (Woodland): from the Yolo County Line to West Main Street: The California Highway Patrol will assist with full rolling lane and ramp closures and traffic breaks.

I-5 (Woodland): southbound only, from the Junction of I-5/State Highway 113 in Woodland south to the River Road exit. This route will be affected only in the unlikely event that County Road 22 is flooded due to heavy rain. If County Road 22 is open, only the north and southbound County Road 102 off-ramps from I-5 will be closed.   The California Highway Patrol will assist with full rolling lane and ramp closures and traffic breaks.

Tower Bridge (State Highway 275) (Sacramento): Cyclists will enter Sacramento from West Capitol Avenue to ride over the Tower Bridge heading toward the finish line in downtown Sacramento. The California Highway Patrol will assist with full rolling lane closures and traffic breaks.

For additional information about the event, log onto: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/

During the daytime, the road will be striped with temporary traffic markers. Motorists are advised to drive with caution and be aware of temporary shifts in lane configurations.

The new alignment should be complete by Friday morning.

The next Task Force meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for Wednesday, February 27 at 3 pm. at Rancho Cordova City Hall.

Eastbound US 50 will be closed from 9 p.m. Thursday (17th) to 5 a.m. on Friday.

Both eastbound and westbound US. 50 will be closed 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. on Saturday.

Detours will be posted.

Next year's prizes include coffee cards, movie passes, t-shirts, mouse pads, tote bags and a $10,000 Cash Wheel!

Commuter Club membership is free! Sign up below.

You can also check traffic along US 50 between Prairie City Road and Capital City Freeway by calling the traffic hotline: 1-866-698-7232.

There will be various eastbound lane closures from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. from Shingle Springs Road to Greenstone Road.

Lane and ramp closures will also take place from the El Dorado over-crossing to the Vietnam Veteran's Bridge from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

From the Ray Lawyer Drive over-crossing to the Clay Street undercrossing, motorists can expect east and westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.

At the Placerville Drive on-ramp, there will be a full ramp closure from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

From the eastbound on-ramp from Placerville Drive to the Clay Street under-crossing, motorists can expect the eastbound #2 lane to be closed from 4 a.m. to noon on Thursday and Friday.

Unexpected schedule changes may occur. For up-to-date information on roadwork, delays, road conditions and emergency closures, call 800-427-7623.

Two 50 Corridor Commuters have won $500 each as a result of their on-line Commuter Club participation. Gail Noriega of Franchise Tax Board and Helen Lovelace of AXA Advisors both earned spins on the Commuter Club's Cash Wheel and came up big winners.

Public meetings will be held at two different locations on: Friday, December 7^th . The purpose of these meetings is to discuss findings of the first Technical Memorandum and accept public comment. Topics will include a review of existing transit services, transit needs, route performance and issues that should be the focus of the remainder of the Transit Plan update.

To find out more about this important project or to give your input, check the following website: http://www.lsctahoe.com/ElDoradoCounty2008SRTP.html

The Placerville Downtown Association will sponsor the the service from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, November 23 for the Festival of Lights event.

For more information, go to www.eldoradotransit.com.

Work continues on the $35 million project to improve US 50 through Central Placerville, with completion expected in the fall of 2009. Here's what motorists should look for next week:

*at the Ray Lawyer Drive over-crossing to the Clay Street under crossing: Motorists can expect various east and westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following day, for|INDENT|underground utility work to be done.

*at the eastbound Placerville Drive on-ramp: Motorists can expect a full ramp closure from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following dayfor underground utility work.

*from the eastbound on-ramp from Placerville Drive to the Clay Street under crossing: Motorists can expect the eastbound #2 lane closed from 5 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. A contractor is scheduled to do miscellaneous construction work.