For schoolchildren and other pedestrians and bicyclists, crossing the railroad tracks near the city of Dixon’s historic downtown is a lot safer these days, thanks to an undercrossing completed in 2015.
With some 40 passenger and freight trains crossing the West B Street pedestrian path on a daily basis, getting to and fro was perilous for the Solano County town’s residents. Now almost 400 pedestrian and bike trips are made daily through the West B Street underpass between North Jackson and Jefferson streets, safely separated from the train traffic above.
The West B Street undercrossing links residential areas to an elementary school and to downtown Dixon. Before it was built, two fatalities had been reported at the grade-crossing site since 1990. The undercrossing is part of a larger rail project proposed by the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) that ultimately will establish a Dixon passenger rail station. A transportation center building was completed in 2006 that includes a park-and-ride lot, bicycle parking and commuter information.
The city of Dixon partnered with STA to construct the $7 million undercrossing, which provides an important connection for the community and encourages walking and bicycling to downtown and local elementary and middle schools.
The undercrossing is a key component for a planned passenger rail station and a safe route to a revitalized downtown.
