New Warning Systems for Cross Traffic Installed
Sep 02, 2020 12:00AM ● By By Gilbert Mohtes-Chan, CaltransSolar-powered roadside amber beacons flashing systems have been placed at two intersections on state highway 70 north of Marysville. Photo: Caltrans
YUBA COUNTY, CA (MPG) – In a continued effort to boost motorist safety, Caltrans has installed advanced warning systems that alert motorists to cross traffic ahead at two intersections on State Highway 70 north of Marysville.
Motorists approaching the intersections of Highway 70 at Saddleback Drive and Highway 70 at Ramirez Road will see solar-powered roadside amber beacons flashing when there is a vehicle waiting to enter the highway from the side street. The highly visible blinking lights are triggered after a vehicle on the county road activates an underground sensor.
A study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation found these intersection warning systems featuring flashing beacons and cross traffic ahead signs reduced speeds on the main highway by an average of 4.5 mph.
“For the past year and a half, Caltrans has worked with the California Highway Patrol and local partners to implement a series of safety measures along the Highway 70 corridor between Marysville and Oroville,” said Amarjeet S. Benipal, Caltrans District 3 Director. “The new intersection warning system upholds our commitment to help motorists arrive safely to their destinations.”
Yuba County Supervisor Randy Fletcher pointed out the corridor’s importance to local residents. “Highway 70 is an important transportation and economic artery for Yuba County residents and farmers. I’d like to thank Caltrans for continuing to work with us to make our roads safer,” Fletcher said.
“As motorists travel safely into Marysville, we will be ready to allow them to reach their destinations efficiently and effectively as possible,” said Marysville Mayor Ricky Samayoa. “We are working with Caltrans to ensure we are not the traffic bottleneck for drivers traveling between Sacramento and the northern Sacramento Valley.”
Other safety measures implemented on the corridor since 2019 include:
(1) Establishment of a Daylight Headlight Section requiring drivers to turn on their headlights during daytime hours; (2) Installation of radar speed feedback signs that display the travel speed of motorists. Studies indicate drivers exceeding the speed limit will slow down 80 percent of the time after seeing how fast they’re driving displayed on the signs; (3) Installation of three additional signs alerting motorists that passing lanes are ahead between Cox Lane and Central House Road. (4) Construction of additional rumble strips and the replacement of 4-inch pavement striping with 6-inch wide striping on a 9-mile segment of Highway 70 from Laurellen to the Yuba-Butte county line.
Caltrans District 3 is responsible for maintaining and operating 4,385 lane miles in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans provides construction updates for real-time traffic; visit Caltrans’ QuickMap at quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.