Highway Construction in Lincoln
Backed up traffic close to the interchange of Highway 65 and Highway Interstate 80 might be one of the longest-standing and most prominent problems in Placer County. Many officials have noted that the current traffic problems are not only a hassle, but create a risk of car accidents and therefore serious injuries.
Traffic usually begins to slow near Eureka Road on the eastbound side of I-80 and becomes a gridlock for motorists as they attempt to merge onto Highway 65. The problem is severe enough that many drivers steer clear of the area altogether during certain parts of the day. However, the first phase of a large construction project meant to fix this issue is about to begin.
Planned Solution
Celia McAdam, the Executive Director of the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency has acknowledged this issue and noted that the first phase of the planned construction won’t fix the problem entirely. McAdam noted to reporters that the project won’t be a lasting solution, but will buy drivers time.
Various city officials met on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, to oversee a groundbreaking ceremony in Rocklin that marked the beginning of the $50-million dollar first project phase of Route 65/I-80 interchange improvement construction.
First Phase Specifics
McAdam has stated that this construction phase will include widening what experts call the viaduct section of the roadway. The viaduct is the area where motorists reach the top of the I-80 over a cross and merge onto northbound 65.
The first phase is also going to include the addition of two off-ramps onto Galleria-Stanford Ranch Road. This addition is meant to allow drivers to avoid cutting across traffic in order to turn into the nearby Costco. Reducing cross-traffic is just one way the project aims to reduce the frequency of auto accidents.
Funding Woes
Although contractors are scheduled to finish work on this phase during 2018, future construction may remain far-off if more funding cannot be secured. McAdam indicated that to complete the project, it would cost $450 million and, in November 2016, Placer County voters shot down a sales tax which would have provided much of the needed funds.
McAdam said that a new state bill could possibly allow agencies like the PCTPA to create county sub-districts that can receive special funding. McAdam noted that the bill would last two years and will be voted on in 2018.
Initial Funding
The first phase of the project was funded by a myriad of sources including the California Department of Transportation, funds left over from a federal earmark from 2005, developer impact fees, and a 2006 California Bill for construction funding.
However, McAdam indicated that these sources are exhausted and that without an additional tax, the full project might not be funded for decades to come. This could mean continued problems for drivers who’ve seen too many injurious and fatal accidents on this stretch of road due to inadequate infrastructure.
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photo: “highway construction workers using concrete saws” by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health under public domain
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