NAPA, CA — Major improvements are coming to Lincoln Avenue, one of Napa’s busiest east-west corridors, with plans to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. The project, set to begin later this year, is expected to cost approximately $3.65 million, with $3 million of that coming from Measure T sales tax revenue, as outlined in the city’s five-year work plan.
The 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Avenue, running from California Boulevard to Silverado Trail, will undergo significant upgrades, including repaving, improved pedestrian crossings, and the addition of traffic-calming measures. The most notable change involves a proposal to reduce the number of lanes from four to three, making space for a two-way center turn lane and buffered bike lanes.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, such lane reconfigurations can reduce total crashes by 19% to 47%, particularly rear-end, left-turn, and right-angle collisions. City officials say these safety measures will benefit all road users.
A Focus on Traffic Flow and Safety
The first phase of construction will focus on the segment between Soscol Avenue and California Avenue. This area is being prioritized due to its coordination with ongoing flood control work further east. However, the ultimate goal is to improve traffic flow across the entire 1.4-mile corridor.
Farid Javandel, Napa’s senior traffic engineer, explained at a recent community meeting that the new center turn lane would help smooth traffic by reducing congestion caused by vehicles waiting to turn left. While the new configuration could cause slight delays at some intersections, Javandel emphasized that the impact would be minimal.
“At the Jefferson Street and Lincoln Avenue intersection, we’re expecting a delay of up to 9.5 seconds,” he said. “That’s not a significant increase, and the road will still operate at a similar level of service.”
Javandel added that while fewer lanes may initially appear to cause longer traffic queues, they will clear more quickly, ultimately improving overall traffic flow.
Expanding Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Safety
A key component of the project is the expansion of bike lanes. The new design will widen the bike lanes to at least 6 feet and include a 4-foot painted buffer to separate cyclists from vehicle traffic. This change has been met with approval from local advocacy groups, including the Napa County Bicycle Coalition.
Kara Vernor, the executive director of the Napa County Bicycle Coalition, called the project “a major step forward” for the city. She emphasized that while the coalition primarily focuses on pedestrian and cyclist safety, the project would improve safety for drivers as well.
“It feels like this really nice way to bring all of the modes together and increase safety for everyone,” Vernor said.
The project also includes upgraded pedestrian crossings designed to make walking along Lincoln Avenue safer. These changes aim to accommodate the growing number of people who walk or bike along the busy corridor while improving the overall safety for motorists.
Looking Ahead
With construction slated to begin later this year, the Lincoln Avenue improvement project represents a significant investment in the city’s infrastructure and the safety of its residents. City officials are optimistic that the project will create a safer, more efficient transportation corridor that benefits everyone who uses it, from pedestrians and cyclists to drivers.
As Napa continues to grow, improvements like these are seen as essential for accommodating the city’s diverse transportation needs and ensuring the safety of all road users.