Long awaited $49.5 million highway improvement project completed in Placer County

The wait is over for drivers who frequent the busy I-80 area in Placer County; a project which created new eastbound and westbound auxiliary lanes and a new two-lane off-ramp at Rocklin Road, is completed. The $49.5 million project was the result of a partnership between Caltrans and the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA) and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). This section of highway upgrade was a key component of the multi-faceted Capital Region Freight Improvement Project. Caltrans and PCTPA officials announced the project's completion on June 19th; they say it will reduce stop-and-go traffic to improve safety and mobility along the corridor between Douglas Boulevard and Riverside Avenue and between State Route 65 and Rocklin Road. The project received $27.8 million from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. Caltrans District 3 Director Sergio Aceves was joined by U.S. Representative Kevin Kiley, City of Rocklin Councilmember Ken Broadway and PCTPA Executive Director Matt Click at a ribbon cutting ceremony to recognize the project's completion. "It is an honor to celebrate the hard-working individuals that made this project a reality, exemplifying our commitment to safety and improving mobility along this vital corridor," Director Aceves said. "These visionary infrastructure investments are giving Caltrans the tools to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our transportation systems." The Capital Region Freight Improvement Project is a state and local partnership between Caltrans, the PCTPA and SACOG to address critical pinch points on I-80 and Interstate 5. By adding increased space for safe merging and metered ramps, the project aims to significantly reduce the number of serious injury and fatal accidents, while also supporting the state's goal of more fluid freight movement. "PCTPA is so proud of our continued partnership with Caltrans District 3, and thankful for the steadfast support from Congressman Kiley." Click said. "This project is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal partners work together with a common goal in mind. This investment in our transportation system will help our customers get where they need to go."