4 Years After Deadly Accidents, Madrone Improvements to Start

Nearly four years after two people died at the intersection, Caltrans will begin work this month on a turnout lane at Highway 116 and Madrone Avenue, the transportation agency has confirmed.

The project will build 350-foot long left-turn pockets in each direction of Highway 116, and add a new five-foot shoulder on the south side of the intersection.  

In October 2009, a 36 year old Santa Rosa woman was killed when her car was rear ended and pushed in front on an oncoming big rig, as she waited to turn onto Madrone Avenue.

A month later, a 17-year-old girl from Petaluma died on the same spot after the car she was riding in was hit as it was turning. 

The improvements are scheduled to start April 23 and be completed by end of July. No lane closures are expected.

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