These 6 major construction projects will slow your Sacramento-area commute this summer
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Commuter Traffic in Sacramento
As the coronavirus pandemic eases and workers head back to the office, what will commuter traffic look like in the Sacramento region?
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Why traffic gridlock is about to hit the Sacramento region — and how it can be avoided
These 6 major construction projects will slow your Sacramento-area commute this summer
Video: Why we’re about to see some intense traffic congestion in Sacramento region
Future of Sacramento region transportation is long distance transit, not wider highways
It’s turning out to be one of the busiest summers in years for major highway and roadway projects in the Sacramento region, causing both congestion and consternation. The good news: all this work ultimately should lead to smoother sailing when it’s done.
The construction timing though is tricky. It’s happening as more commuters hit the road, headed back to the office after COVID-19 shutdowns have come to a close.
Caltrans spokeswoman Angela DaPrato said the state is seeing a highway construction boom as a result of SB1, the increased gas tax passed in 2017.
Here are the five biggest projects underway, and key things to know about each:
Fix 50
Caltrans is widening Highway 50 from Watt Avenue through downtown to Interstate 5, adding a high-occupancy lane in each direction. That includes some demolition and expansion on the elevated section of the freeway that runs between W and X streets downtown.
Crews are moving equipment onto the west end of the elevated freeway this week. That and other work is requiring numerous lane closures this summer, most of them at night, but some during the day.
Caltrans is asking drivers to slow considerably when driving through that area, and to pay close attention to reconfigured lane lines.
FixSac5
Work continues on a similar expansion of Interstate 5 from south of Elk Grove Boulevard up to the Highway 50 interchange. The project, called FixSac5, will be under construction through the end of next year.
Caltrans alerts drivers to expect lane closures throughout the summer, both days and nights, with some extended multiple-lane closures during weekends, possibly over four-day periods.
Highway officials said there will always be at least one lane open in each direction during those extended closures. Drives will be alerted to take alternate routes.
Highway 99 at Cosumnes River
Caltrans is replacing several bridges on Highway 99 near the Cosumnes River, including the Dillard Road overcrossing. Drivers through there should expect delays.
The project includes a temporary freeway realignment and narrowing. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 miles per hour. The project will reduce flood risks on the freeway. Completion date should be in late 2022 or early 2023.
I-80 in east Placer County
Caltrans this summer is continuing a multi-year project to raise bridges along the I-80 corridor in mountain areas of Placer County. At times, vehicles are required to exit the freeway on detours before being redirected back onto I-80.
“We may have intermittent full highway closures of I-80 at night, however, the detours only add a few minutes to travel time,” spokeswoman Raquel Borrayo said. “Motorists are still able to travel on I-80 and are directed off the highway at an off-ramp and directly back on via an on-ramp. This has allowed us to greatly minimize traffic impacts and not add lengthy detours to travel routes.”
Recent work has been occurring in the Crystal Springs and Drum Forebay area in the high Sierra, about 25 miles east of Colfax.
Elk Grove-Florin Road widening
The Sacramento County transportation department is widening Elk Grove-Florin Road from two lanes to four in the area between Florin Road and Gerber Road. The road is a main north-south commuter thoroughfare that becomes Watt Avenue to the north and is used as an alternative to Highway 99.
The project, which includes replacing the Elder Creek bridge, has required narrowing of the road. Large trucks with “permitted loads” are not allowed through that section during construction. Completion is scheduled late this year.
North 12th Street cycle track
The city of Sacramento is turning one lane of North 12th Street into a separated bike lane with a buffer between cyclists and motor vehicles. It is the western-most travel lane, or the right lane as you travel south into downtown.
The lane will run from Richards Boulevard to H Street downtown, essentially creating a commuter corridor into downtown for cyclists from the north.
This story was originally published July 14, 2021 at 5:00 AM.