Going Downtown Fair Oaks-Just Turn Left at the Light

Nearly nine years after beginning her crusade, Jeanne Hill will get to see the return of the left turn lane on the southbound side of Sunrise at Fair Oaks Boulevard. The left turn lane will allow drivers easier access to Old Town Fair Oaks from Sunrise Boulevard.

The demolition of the turn lane began nine years ago with a small hearing at the Fair Oaks clubhouse, attended by only a handful of residents and merchants, because no one thought that the county was serious about taking out the turn lane. The county was serious. Taking out the turn lane, according to then County Board Supervisor Jim Strang, would increase traffic flow along Sunrise by six seconds. Strang's defense in taking out the turn lane was, "Every second that can be gained adds to the total capacity of the intersection." The concern was that, during a stoplight at the intersection, traffic was "backed up past the Sunrise Bridge."

When the turn lane was taken out, businesses along Sunrise Avenue felt an immediate pinch, enough that several businesses (the old 76 gas station) went out of business. The only increase was in the number of accidents caused by people wanting to turn left off Sunrise to Fair Oaks Boulevard to get to the Village Shops, the Amphitheater, and Slocum House.

The intersection at Fair Oaks and Sunrise rose instantly from being the tenth worst intersection in the county to being at the top of the list. "We used to see some horrible accidents, from people trying to turn left," said Hill. "I had seen at least fifteen deaths, and over 40 accidents."

The accidents and the accident rate got so bad that the fire department joined Hill in her crusade to have the county reinstate the turn lane. Yet, hearing after hearing before the County Board of Supervisors, Hill's wish to reinstate the turn lane was voted down. The traffic department refused to hear her arguments. Knowing that the problem was more than she could win on her own, Hill enlisted the aid of Supervisor Dave Cox, Chambers of Commerce from across the Sacramento area, and organizations like the Rotary Club, the Soroptomists and the Parks District. According to Hill, the reinstatement of the turn lane is due largely to "Dave Cox and all the help that we got from our friends."

That little bit of help that she got from her friends has gotten Hill her wish. The construction of the turn lane has begun, and the traffic department hopes that the new-style pole needed for the turn signal arrives in time to complete the project by September 2, 1996.