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Due to the
growth of Folsom, it was obvious to almost everyone by the 1980's
that the two-lane Rainbow Bridge could not
carry the traffic. There was another crossing about two miles
northeast over the Dam Road on Folsom Dam but it is owned by the
State and is frequently closed for dam maintenance. When this
happened, traffic congestion on the Rainbow Bridge was unbearable.
Hazel Boulevard served as the only other means of crossing the
bridge, and at the time, was one of the more popular routes to take
if you lived on the other side of town.
After years
of discussion about where a new crossing should be built and how it
could be financed, the Lake Natoma Crossing over Lake Natoma was
completed in 1999. To many of us it was a godsend. Not only was it a
thing of beauty, but it connected both sides of Folsom and made it
feel like one city. Traffic congestion had gotten so bad over the
rainbow bridge that people living in Folsom on the north side of the
River tended feel more a part of Orangevale than Folsom. That all
changed with the Bridge opening.
Lake Natoma
Crossing connects Folsom-Auburn Road on the north end to Folsom
Blvd. on the south end. It carries four lanes of traffic plus bike
lanes and pedestrian walkways on each side over Lake
Natoma. Its
wide median is also designed to eventually carry light rail to the
north side of the river. It is truly a thing of beauty, and a
much-needed addition to the city.
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