Placer County accepting public comment for Bell Road interchange project

Placer County is accepting public comment for the Bell Road at I-80 Interchange project. According to the visual impact assessment, the purpose of the project is to improve operations, reduce delay, enhance mobility for all modes of travel and maximize infrastructure to transport traffic safely through the interchange as morning and evening peak travel times have affected the efficiency of the interchange. The project will provide the addition of two roundabouts on Bell Road: a six-legged roundabout that includes the Bowman Road intersection and interstate westbound ramps, changing from a signalized intersection, and a five-legged roundabout that includes the Musso Road intersection and interstate eastbound ramps. The assessment notes the roundabout will be hybrid models to include a combination of single and multiple lanes. The addition of roundabouts was determined to best meet the safety needs and address future growth by 2045. Improvements will include: Vehicle speeds ranging from 15-30 mph within the interchange. A 10-foot shared use path with a 5-foot minimum buffer for pedestrian safety and guide pedestrians to correct crossing locations. Crosswalks and Americans with Disabilities Act accessible ramps along pedestrian facilities. The project also includes the requirement to build retaining walls: one 270 feet long with a height of 20 feet south of Musso Road, and the other 440 feet long with a height of 14 feet north of Bowman Road. Project construction will be phased in order to maintain access to Interstate 80, according to the assessment. Construction is anticipated to begin by the summer of 2022. Public comment is being accepted until Oct. 14. Comments and questions can be submitted to Project Manager Kyle Friedrich via email at kfriedri@placer.ca.gov. Residents can also vote on the aesthetic treatment for the retaining walls at surveymonkey.com/r/ZD6FXCQ. Project information and the environmental document can be found at placer.ca.gov/1571/Projects. According to the project website, the project will be on the Board of Supervisors' Nov. 9 agenda for consideration.