(Washington, DC)— It is great to report that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has opted for a structured re-opening of the Folsom Dam Road to commuters during peak travel hours.

Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Gold River) announced, “The re-opening of the Folsom Dam Road during peak travel hours is a direct result of the persistence and ingenuity of the city of Folsom.  Officials from the city of Folsom made a concerted effort to work with federal officials to craft a workable solution.”
 

Folsom Mayor Steve Miklos, Folsom City Manager Martha Clark Lofgren, and city Council Members have made several trips to Washington, DC including this week’s Cap-to-Cap trip, to lobby the federal government on behalf of Folsom residents and area commuters adversely impacted by the closing of the Dam Road.  City officials were instrumental in working with the Bureau of Reclamation in devising a compromise that satisfied the security issues and the travel concerns of local residents,” added Lungren.

“My predecessor, Congressman Doug Ose, and I have held several important meetings with officials from the Bureau of Reclamation and explained in detail the importance of re-opening the Folsom Dam Road during key commuting hours.  I am pleased that the Bureau of Reclamation has acted on those concerns and will begin the process of re-opening the Dam Road during key travel hours,” said Lungren.

Congressman Lungren concluded, “I will continue to seek a balance between protecting the Dam from potential terrorism and any undue inconveniences to district residents hindered by the Dam Road’s closure.”

The Folsom Dam Road will be opened to regular commuters for three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon.  Drivers utilizing the Dam Road will be pre-screened and granted an authorization pass allowing them to use the road during the designated open hours.  The Bureau of Reclamation will continue to control the security surrounding the Dam Road.

City officials estimate that re-opening the Dam Road during peak hours until the new bridge is completed will cost roughly $6.2 million. The $6.2 million includes approximately $2.2 million in capital costs, including security monitoring equipment and protective barriers, and $4 million in operating costs.

The Folsom Dam is located in Congressman Lungren’s 3rd Congressional District.