Sacramento, here’s a look at closures affecting your commute the week of July 28
Summer roadwork season is in full swing, and if you’re commuting in or around Sacramento this week, you’ll want to plan ahead. From ongoing light rail suspensions and closed bus stops to full road closures and overnight lane work, we’ve rounded up the biggest transit disruptions and detours that could affect your route.
Public transit
Due to sidewalk construction on Arden Way, bus stops on Morse Avenue and Professional Drive will be closed through Oct. 17. Riders traveling eastbound on Arden Way should instead seek Route 129 stops on Berkshire Way and Watt Avenue, and those going southbound should go to route 84 stops on Morse/Gerald Avenues and Watt Avenue.
On Auburn Boulevard, several bus stops will be temporarily closed through late August due to the Arcade Bridge Replacement Project. Bus route 1 in both directions will be impacted, as it will detour and not service the stops between Winding Way and the Auburn Boulevard ramps.
As of last Monday service on the RT Green Line light rail was suspended due to major construction in the Railyards area. The pause will last until summer 2026. Sacramento Regional Transit has encouraged riders to use bus route 11 instead. This route will now offer expanded weekday service from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more details and to keep up with transit changes throughout the week, visit the SacRT website, check out the light rail map and SacRT Bus Tracker or speak with someone at 916-321-BUSS (2877).
Freeways
Expect the northbound connector to westbound Highway 50 to be closed from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., Tuesday to Saturday, until Aug. 15.
For real-time highway conditions, check the Caltrans webpage or call 800-427-7623.
Twin Cities Road
From Monday to Friday, a stretch of Twin Cities Road near Galt will be fully closed for allow Union Pacific to make railroad track repairs. The closure will affect Twin Cities a half mile west of Highway 99 and to Christensen Road.
The Sacramento County Department of Transportation will set up a detour route around the repair site. Eastbound drivers on Twin Cities Road can take Christensen Road south, turn east onto Spring Street, then head north on W. Stockton Boulevard to rejoin Twin Cities. Westbound drivers should follow the same route in reverse.
Watt Avenue and other county roads
Watt Avenue, between I-80 and Roseville Road, is currently undergoing substantial construction work for a Complete Streets project that aims to improve multimodal access and safety. The work began in January and is slated for completion by the end of September.
And from I-80 to Roseville Road, the two left lanes of both northbound and southbound Watt Avenue will be affected from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. This stretch will see work through the end of September.
Arden Way, from Watt to Morse avenues, has been undergoing a complete street rehabilitation since March, which will last to the end of 2025. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., commuters can expect alternating lane closures.
Other county roads currently undergoing closures include Airport, Auburn, Elkhorn, and Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards, as well as Point Pleasant Road, Madison Avenue and more. Reasons for construction span roadway improvements, pole maintenance, sewer work and pipeline installation.
Motorists and residents can check the county website or the Caltrans District 3 lane closures database for a more comprehensive list of road and lane closures, and sign up online to receive email notifications.
Construction zone etiquette
Even when construction workers are not present, it is illegal to exceed the posted speed limit, according to California Vehicle Code 22362. Speed limits on highways are generally reduced by 10 mph in areas under construction.
“All we ask is that the public be aware when they’re on the road. While we’re mindful of traffic, it’s a team effort,” said Matthew Robinson, spokesperson for Sacramento County.
In just 2021, California work zones saw 9,500 crashes, with 73 resulting in deaths. Road construction workers frequently report dangerous conditions on the job from speeding.
If caught, drivers can be ticketed and fined according to the severity of their speeding.
Some tips from Caltrans and Sacramento County for safe driving in construction zones: slow down in the “cone zone,” anticipate lane shifts and don’t change lanes unnecessarily, be vigilant of traffic flaggers and allow extra space between you and the car in front of you.
If you have other roads or freeways you would like us to watch out for, or you noticed that we missed something, please let us know below!
