$3.2 million goes to Blue Oaks Boulevard widening in Roseville

The Roseville City Council last week sent $3.2 million in federal funding toward the Blue Oaks Boulevard widening project, currently in design. The project will widen Blue Oaks from Diamond Creek Blvd. to Highway 65 to an ultimate eight-lane thoroughfare. One westbound lane will be added in the median for about one mile from Woodcreek Oaks to just past Foothills Boulevard. The plan includes a new four-lane bridge over Industrial Avenue and Union Pacific Railroad, said Public Works Director Jason Shykowski in his report. "Blue Oaks Boulevard serves Roseville as well as Rocklin, Lincoln and Placer County," said the director. The project will alleviate a critical traffic "pinch point," allowing faster access between the local highways and interstate. The overall $30 million project will provide an improved connection from south Placer communities to: · One of the region's major interstates. · Two future university campuses in design. Placer Parkway, a planned four-lane, limited-access, grade-separated expressway connecting the region to Sacramento and the international airport. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027. The project is currently funded from fiscal-year 2021-22 General Fund year-end budget surplus, and construction will be funded with design monies and traffic fees, staff said. The segment of Blue Oaks currently varies between seven and four total lanes. As part of the 2035 General Plan, the 1.5-mile stretch was identified for widening to address increased traffic demand due to ongoing development. The zone starts 500 feet west of Diamond Creek Boulevard and continues east to about 1,000 feet east of Washington Boulevard, including the four-lane bridge. Last year, the $3.2 million for design was directed to the project as part of the H.R. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, staff said. This funding will supplement the General Fund resources already budgeted, and traffic mitigation fee funds planned for the project through the construction phase. The project is currently in the design and environmental phases, including coordination with Caltrans for improvements within existing state right-of-way. No additional environmental review is required. Staff said it will return to the council with an environmental review at a later date, said Roseville Engineer Nick Bumb. The council approved the move Sept. 17.