Buffered Bike Lanes Coming to Lincoln Avenue in Napa

Napa City Council approves safety improvements including lane reductions and new bike infrastructure

Feb. 5, 2026 at 9:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Napa City Council has unanimously voted to approve a series of safety improvements to Lincoln Avenue, one of the city's major east-west corridors. The project will reduce the number of vehicle lanes from four to three, adding a center turn lane and buffered bike lanes. While some residents expressed concerns about potential increases in traffic congestion, the city's analysis found the changes would not cause gridlock and would improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Why it matters

The Lincoln Avenue project is part of a broader push by Napa to enhance safety on its most dangerous roads. The changes aim to balance the needs of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, prioritizing community safety over pure vehicle speed. This reflects a growing trend in urban planning to create "calmer streets" that reduce crashes and give people more transportation options.

The details

The 1.4-mile project will initially focus on the segment from Soscol Avenue to California Avenue. It will reduce the number of vehicle lanes from four to three, allowing space for a two-way center turn lane. Buffered bike lanes will also be added, with the bike lanes placed between parked cars and moving traffic to provide more protection for cyclists. While some residents expressed concerns about increased congestion, a traffic analysis found travel times would only increase by about 30 seconds during peak hours, and the street would continue to operate under capacity.

  • The city is aiming for construction to take place in the summer of 2026, when school is not in session.
  • The Napa City Council discussed and approved the plans at their meeting on February 3, 2026.

The players

Napa City Council

The governing body of the city of Napa that approved the safety improvements to Lincoln Avenue.

Fehr & Peers

A Walnut Creek-based traffic consulting firm that conducted an analysis of the proposed changes to Lincoln Avenue.

Lisa Goff

A Napa resident who expressed concerns that the project could increase traffic congestion and "stress" in the city.

Elizabeth Tippet

A Napa resident who cited data showing that similar road reconfigurations can reduce crashes by 19% to 47%.

Farid Javandel

The senior traffic engineer for the city of Napa who said the city is continuing to listen to feedback and make changes to the plans.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Designing a street that prioritizes speed over safety sends a clear message about whose lives we value. Calmer streets are not anti-car; they are pro-community. They reduce crashes, make neighborhoods safer, give people real transportation options and they create streets that work better for everyone, including drivers.”

— Elizabeth Tippet, Napa Resident

“I think drivers experience congestion emotionally, not statistically. That's something that we struggle with, that emotional aspect of it getting beyond the data, and this is a big change.”

— Mary Luros, Napa City Council Member

What’s next

The city is continuing to seek community feedback on the plans and will monitor the changed traffic conditions after construction to make any necessary adjustments. The project is soon set to go out for construction bids, with the city aiming to complete the work in the summer of 2026 when school is not in session.

The takeaway

Napa's Lincoln Avenue project reflects a growing trend in urban planning to prioritize community safety and livability over pure vehicle speed. By reducing lanes, adding turn lanes and buffered bike lanes, the city aims to create "calmer streets" that work better for everyone - drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.