Enhancing Safety on Vasco Road: Proposed Improvements
Car crashes and fatalities on Vasco Road in recent weeks serve as a somber reminder of the significance of road safety. Every life lost in these incidents is profoundly saddening. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average weight of cars sold in the United States in 2022 is 4,094 lbs. Handling a speeding two-ton vehicle irresponsibly can be as hazardous as any weapon in inappropriate hands. Our shared responsibility is to prioritize safe driving practices to ensure the well-being of all road users.
As the new school year approaches, it becomes even more important to exercise caution due to increased traffic near school drop-off and pickup areas and more students on the streets. While the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is tasked with enforcing traffic laws on our unincorporated roads, it is essential to recognize that they cannot be everywhere. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to uphold the safety of our communities and roadways.
Accident Statistics on Vasco Road
Vasco Road, a principal rural arterial, is a heavily traveled route for commuters, accommodating approximately 22,000 vehicles daily. Given its significance as a rural arterial, Vasco Road faces substantial commuter traffic and has a well-documented history of severe collisions. Between January 1996 and December 2007, 352 collisions occurred on Vasco Road, resulting in 16 deaths and 136 injuries. The most concentrated cluster of collisions was observed in the southern segment, characterized by hilly terrain, winding curves, and the convergence of two lanes into one in the southbound direction. From 2010 to 2014, an additional 105 collisions were reported on Vasco Road, causing serious injuries to 74 individuals and resulting in one fatality.
Updates on Vasco Road Improvements
Contra Costa County Public Works has released the following updates on road safety improvements in response to the recent series of collisions on Vasco Road:
- At the beginning of 2023, Contra Costa County received grant funding to enhance Vasco Road, spanning from Camino Diablo to Walnut Blvd. The project aims to enhance safety by implementing measures such as constructing median striping, no-passing zones, centerline rumble strips, and delineators. Construction is scheduled to take place by 2025.
- Recent enhancements have been implemented at the junction of Vasco Road and Camino Diablo. Still, further improvements are being proposed and incorporated.
- In November 2022, maintenance crews repaired and replaced the centerline delineators to improve safety along Vasco Road’s heavily trafficked commuter corridor. Another phase of maintenance is planned for August 2023.
- Contra Costa County’s traffic section conducts reviews of collision reports from the CHP to identify patterns or clusters of similar car accidents. This analysis helps determine potential countermeasures that can be implemented to effectively reduce or eliminate such crashes.
Vasco Road Safety Improvements Phase 1
Phase 1 of the Vasco Road Safety Improvements Project involved the implementation of several enhancements. These included the construction of a concrete median barrier, bridge widening, installation of retaining walls, and other related improvements. The construction was completed in January 2012 and encompassed the construction of approximately one mile of concrete median barrier. Additionally, the roadway was widened to close a gap in the southbound passing lane.
Vasco Road Safety Improvements Phase 2
Phase 2 of the ongoing project is underway and requires additional funding for its successful completion. The allocation of $15 million from Regional Measure 3 specifically supports this phase. This phase primarily focuses on extending the concrete median barrier within the existing 3-lane segment of Vasco Road, spanning approximately 1.5 miles. Complementary enhancements such as pavement widening, striping, signage, turn pockets, bridge widening, drainage improvements, retaining walls, wildlife mitigation, and barrier end-treatments will be implemented to facilitate the median barrier installation.
As the final stage of the overall 2.5-mile project, this phase concentrates on constructing the concrete median barrier in the most challenging and dynamic section of Vasco Road in Contra Costa County. The roadway will be widened during Phase 2 to accommodate the median barrier while maintaining the current number of travel lanes. These long-term upgrades and improvements will bring significant safety enhancements to the roadway. County officials said the completion of Phase 1 has already improved safety on Vasco Road, and they expect similar positive outcomes with the implementation of Phase 2.
The following video from ABC7 News Bay Area shows a tragic accident on Vasco Road that killed one and injured three others.
Northern California Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a California Personal Injury Lawyer. We understand the immense pain and hardship of enduring severe injuries or losing a loved one in a tragic traffic accident. We are here for you if you have been through such a traumatic experience. Please contact our caring legal team at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly advice. Since 1982, our personal injury law firm in Sacramento has assisted numerous individuals in obtaining full compensation for their accident cases. See our previous cases featuring favorable verdicts and settlements.
Photo by Matteo Paganelli on Unsplash
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