Street sign

What's with Sacramento County street signs? It's a white background and black letters. I noticed that it's harder to "notice" the street signs. Why can't Sacramento County change the color, like Green background and White letters?

Sacramento Area Commuter Rail

Sacramento area should consider commuter rail amid ever-raising gas prices, give more people who usually drive alone more transportation options and to reduce pollution. There are some stations which gives people transfer options to Capitol Corridor trains to the Bay Area, ACE commuter rail from Stockton to San Jose, etc...

As you may notice that I created the lines based on existing railroad tracks along most populated areas.

As you can see the map, I've created a system map which they should give people options to get from point A to B, which is mainly commuting but also for intercity travel within Sacramento Valley.

North line:
Starting in Chico with stops at Gridley, Live Oak, Yuba City/Marysville, Wheatland, Lincoln, Roseville, some north Sacramento local stops such as Elkhorn Blvd, Watt Ave, Swanston/North Sacramento, 16th St then Sacramento Valley station.

South line:
Starting in Modesto with stops at Salida, Ripon, Manteca, Stockton South area, Stockton (connecting with ACE commuter rail to San Jose), Stockton North area, Lodi, Galt, Elk Grove, some south Sacramento local stops such as Calvine Rd, Florin Rd, Fruitridge Rd, Folson Blvd (Connecting with Gold Line LRT), CSUS, 16 St and Sacrament Valley station.

East Line:
Starting in Auburn with stops at Newcastle, Loomis, Rocklin, Roseville, some north Sacramento local stops such as Elkhorn Blvd, Watt Ave, Swanston/North Sacramento, 16th St and then Sacramento Valley station.

West Line:
Starting in Vallejo with stops at American Canyon, Cordelia, Fairfield/Suisun City, Vacaville (near Fry Rd & Leisure Town Rd), Dixon, Davis, Mace Blvd, West Sacramento (Harbor Blvd), West Sacramento (Jefferson Blvd) and then Sacramento Valley station.

Woodland Line:
Starting with a new Park n Ride lot off I-5 and the RR tracks in northern Woodland with stops at Main St (Woodland), Gibson Rd (Woodland), W. Covell Blvd (Davis), Davis, Mace Blvd (Davis), West Sacramento (Harbor Blvd), West Sacramento (Jefferson Blvd) and then Sacramento Valley station. Woodline Line could serve as a shuttle between Woodland and Davis during off-peak hours.

Of course, if it's feasible and to reduce 2 seat rides, we could create fewer lines instead of each lines going in and out of Sacramento Valley station. Chico to Vallejo, Auburn to Woodland and the South Line from Modesto to Sacramento Valley station.

What do you think?

The air issue

WOW! What's up with the air? Yes, I think it has to do with smog/agricultural dust but what can we do about the air. In Colorado where I came from, we usually have brisk blue sky. We do have "Brown cloud" in Metro-Denver area in the winters but not as often as 10 years ago!

We need to enjoy bluer skies, ability to view both mountain ranges from Sacramento area. What's Sacramento air like 10 years ago? is it better now than it was before?

While I visited Davis/Sacramento twice (end of November/early December 2007 and end of March/early April 2008) I did enjoy the air quality, the air was so brisk. My main concern is the summer air quality.

Let's start with transportation issue...

COMMUTING
I commute daily (including Saturdays) between Davis and North Highlands, I was surprised that I've never got stuck in traffic or even slow downs. I basically drove 65 MPH from entering to exiting the freeway. I know it's been a week since I started working but it does impress me. Now you must think "Oh, this person must never driven during rush hours" I can assure you that I report to work between 7:00 AM to 9:00AM different days, all of them are the same! I get off from work usually 4:00PM to as long as 6:30PM. Let's see what happens when I-5 are closed from May 30th to mid-July and how I-5 reconstruction project will affect my commute even thou' I don't go/pass downtown Sacramento.

Mind you, I would prefer riding transit to save money on ever-rising gas price and to cut down pollution but the schedules I checked will take me about an hour and a half and 2 transfers as it takes me an average 30 minutes from door to door. Other problem is that I begin or finish work at different times which I could not take YoloBus express buses. If I ever get reassigned to any cities that has transit options with good schedules, I would go for it in a heartbeat!

HIGHWAYS
I think Sacramento area highways needs to be more visual pleasant such as landscaping and road signs. I did notice that many road signs are old with button-style font. We don't have that in many places I've visited or passed by other cities since many of their signs are updated. I know it cost alot of money, unfortunately.

Is there any reason(s) why Sacramento does not have beltway or bypass like numerous cities have. I'm not advocating adding more highways as I'm advocating more transit.

LOCAL ROADS
So far, I haven't visited many places in Sacramento areas but in any way, local streets should have appealing visual pleasant with more bike lanes, safe crossings, etc.. I will update this issue as I will expand exploration.

BIKING
I must say that Davis has a wonderful bike/walk paths but what about other places in Sacramento area? I don't own a bike but would like to bike given the opportunity of safe path in many places.

TRANSIT
Sacramento area should aggressively expand light rail lines (Airport/Natomas, beyond Watt Avenue, etc.) I also think that the Capitol Corridor trains should run every 15 minutes from say, Vallejo to Auburn with stops Fairfield, Vacaville, Dixon, Davis, East Davis (Mace Blvd), West Sacramento, North Highlands (Watt Avenue & Roseville Road), Elkhorn Boulevard, Foothills Boulevard, Roseville, Rocklin, Loomis, Newcastle and Auburn. There also should be branches to Woodland, Marysville/Yuba City, Elk Grove/Stockton/Modesto and more. Each station where possible should have TOD (Transit Oriented Development). I support local streetcars such as West Sacramento to downtown and would like this in Midtown and other places as well.

AIRPORTS
Why does Sacramento have so many airports? My understanding is that Mather airport is mostly for Cargo operations but why need McClellan and Executive airports? Let me know why and maybe I'll change my mind. I think McClellan and Executive airports should be redeveloped into mixed-use and to make North Highlands and South Sacramento a better place to live, work and play!

First posting!

Hello!

As I create this blog specifically on how to improve Sacramento area in any areas such as housing, transportation, entertainment, community services, etc...

I will try to post every now and then to see what I think should be improved, any criticism are welcomed as long it's civil manner. I welcome any ideas as well.

I've been to numerous cities and town and I feel that Sacramento area has alot of potential to improve the quality of life for its residents and visitors alike. I just relocated to Sacramento area and I do agree there's alot of work to improve, hence is why I created this blog to discuss the potential that Sacramento can be world class city!

Thanks for reading!