First phase of Interstate 80/Highway 65 Interchange Improvements finishing

The first phase of improvements to the Interstate 80/Highway 65 interchange is winding down and a public ribbon-cutting ceremony will be next week. Construction began April 30, 2018. The public ribbon-cutting ceremony is at 10 a.m. Sept. 5 at Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin, overlooking the project. Speakers include Senator Brian Dahle, California Transportation Commission Commissioner Paul Van Konynenburg, Caltrans District 3 Director Amarjeet Benipal, Rocklin Mayor Joe Patterson, Roseville Mayor John Allard and Placer County Supervisor Jim Holmes. The project is a joint effort between the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency, Caltrans District 3, the South Placer Regional Transportation Authority, the Federal Highway Administration, Placer County, and the cities of Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln. This first phase adds a third lane on northbound Highway 65 from Interstate 80 to Pleasant Grove Boulevard and improvements to the Galleria Boulevard/Stanford Ranch Road interchange. The improvements will relieve congestion and improve safety, according to the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency. The project's first phase cost almost $50 million and was obtained through a combination of funds from: • Caltrans Safety and Maintenance Funding - $28.8 million • Placer County Transportation Planning Agency I-80 Bottleneck Savings - $9.9 million • Placer County Transportation Planning Agency 2006 State Bond Freight Funding - $3.6 million • Highway 65 Interchange Development Impact Fees - $6 million • South Placer Regional Transportation Authority Development Impact Fees - $1.7 million. "These improvements will bring much needed relief to motorists who are currently stuck in traffic that is backed up on Interstate 80," said Placer County Transportation Planning Agency executive director Mike Luken. "This first phase will be a great asset to the community but we know it is only one step toward a more comprehensive solution that we still need to find additional funding sources to complete." There are three remaining phases, according to Luken, which includes reconfiguring the two-lane loop with a three-lane flyover between Highway 65 and Interstate 80. Future improvements also include maintaining the existing Interstate 80 access at Taylor Road and eliminating the weaving movements on Interstate 80 eastbound between Eureka Road and Highway 65. To address the additional improvements and the region's future growth and viable economic development, an additional $400 million will need to be secured, according to Placer County Transportation Planning Agency. The planning agency encourages community members to visit the project website at 8065interchange.org for more information and the agency's Luken encourages residents to attend the Sept. 5 ribbon cutting. - Carol Feineman