State Route 49 Improvements

Overview

This project involves various operation and safety improvements on State Route 49. The project will augment the local road system adjacent to State Route 49 to keep local traffic off the main highway. The project will add acceleration and deceleration lanes, turn lanes on SR 49, as well as parallel roads to allow circulation without using SR 49. This project has been divided into two portions.

Partners

PCTPA - As the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) and Transportation Authority for Placer County, the PCTPA Board determines priorities for regional transportation projects. Once funding is identified, PCTPA is responsible for making sure project area on schedule and within budget.

Placer County - Placer County prioritizes local transportation projects and needs within the unincorporated portion of Placer County and has identified this project as a priority project. As a co-lead agency for this project, Placer County is making improvements to the adjacent road system and is part of the team overseeing project development.

City of Auburn - With a portion of the improvments located within their jurisdiction, the City is part of the team overseeing project development.

Caltrans - The majority of this project is located on a State highway, on which Caltrans is required to provide oversight and make sure the improvements comply with state and federal standards. As a co-lead agency for this project, Caltrans has committed funding toward and will be responsible for constructing a portion of the project.

Status/Schedule

In February 2007, Caltrans awarded the construction contract and work began on the first (smaller) portion of the project in March.

Current Challenges

The project has faced numerous problems and delays. Significant cost escalations in the past few years that have hit all transportation projects have been exacerbated by issues with utilities relocation along the project boundaries and numerous changes to the project management at Caltrans District 3. At the same time, state budget deficits and raids to the STIP delayed funding availability to FY 2006/07. The result has been that the project has been downscoped and redesigned four times over the past eight years to fit within the $7 million budget for the first portion of the project.

Additional desired improvements as part of the project's original concept would bring the project total cost to $52 million. Funding for this portion has not currently been identified. A new local funding source for transportation, in combination with developer fees, would allow for the additional improvements on SR 49 to be constructed.

Project Fact Sheet (PDF)

Placer County Public Works Project Info