The long-awaited Hearn Avenue highway overpass is now open, aiming to alleviate the traffic congestion that has plagued south Santa Rosa drivers for years. The $43.7 million project, featuring two traffic lanes going in each direction, was completed just in time for holiday traffic and aims to improve accessibility in this rapidly developing area.
According to details released by the The Press Democrat, the overpass includes intersection and offramp improvements, which should facilitate a smoother exit from the highway and help reduce the queue of cars that has become a regular sight during rush hours. These enhancements, coupled with additional turning lanes at Corby Avenue, are part of a broader set of improvements for south Santa Rosa, including the ongoing construction of a new library and a fire station.
Furthermore, the new overcrossing features improved bicycle and pedestrian amenities, including a westbound bicycle lane on the north side and a two-way bicycle lane on the south side, both segregated from vehicular traffic for safer crossing. According to the city’s announcement, this inclusion is a nod to the growing cycling community, who previously had to navigate the less accommodating old bridge that dated back to 1957…