County completes Hazel Avenue improvements in Fair Oaks. What’s new for motorists, pedestrians
The Hazel Avenue improvement project for Fair Oaks that received county approval in 2006 and began construction in 2008 was completed this year but rain dashed Tuesday’s planned ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The three-part project has reduced congestion along Hazel Avenue by widening the road from four to six lanes in both directions, according to the Sacramento County Department of Transportation. The ribbon-cutting set to commemorate completion of the third and final phase of the project was canceled due to rain and will not be rescheduled.
Matthew Robinson, a spokesman for the county departments of transportation and water resources, said the third phase of the project included construction from Sunset Avenue to Madison Avenue and, in partnership with SMUD and telecom utilities, overhead utility lines were placed underground. The department of transportation also worked with the Fair Oaks Water District to replace its aging water distribution main within the project limits.
Phase 2, completed in 2018, worked on the southern portion of Hazel Avenue from Curragh Downs Drive to Sunset Avenue. The project included continuous sidewalks, bicycle lanes and a third through lane in each direction, according to the county.
Phase 1 started at the interchange with Highway 50 in Gold River and extended north of the river to just south of the Curragh Downs Drive intersection, Robinson said. Completed in 2011, this phase widened the Hazel Avenue Bridge over the American River to provide a third lane in each direction, enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities and an equestrian trail across the bridge.
According to the transportation officials, there were many locations on Hazel Avenue that did not have sidewalks or bicycle lanes prior to the project. Now, the county can safely connect bicyclists and pedestrians from the neighborhoods and businesses on and adjacent to Hazel Avenue to the American River Parkway.
“With the weather changing, we don’t think there will be a new date for a ribbon cutting,” Robinson said via email. “The county is pleased to complete this project. We would have liked to thank those who worked on the project, as well as thank the residents and businesses who had to put up with all of the construction over the years.”