
By Sara Beth Williams–
After more than ten years of designing and planning, the second phase of construction along Auburn Boulevard is scheduled to begin Monday, July 22, the city announced last week.
Authorized in 2005, the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Revitalization Project envisioned a revitalized and enhanced section of Auburn Boulevard, from Sylvan corners to Interstate 80. The nearly two-mile-long project was broken into two phases, with Phase 1 covering the section from Sylvan corners to Rusch Park, just beyond Antelope Road, and Phase 2 covering the remaining section of boulevard up to Interstate 80. Phase 1 construction took three years to complete, according to City Engineer Leslie Blomquist.
In an interview with the Sentinel, Blomquist said planning for the second phase of construction began even before the first phase of construction along the corridor was complete, and that 10 years is standard for a project of such magnitude. The Auburn Boulevard revitalization project is “the largest capital improvement project the city has undertaken” according to the press release.
“There are a lot of moving pieces,” Blomquist said in reference to the planning for this second phase, adding that project planning experienced delays during the pandemic.
Once designs and planning were complete, the city found that costs all around had significantly increased, due to the pandemic, inflation, and other associated factors Blomquist said. The original target budget for the project was $23 million, according to a video posted by the city in 2021. Now the budget for construction sits at roughly $35.5 million. Acquiring more grant funding for the project forced implementation to be delayed, Blomquist said.
In February 2024, construction bids came back at nearly $10 million over budget, forcing yet another four-to-five-month delay while the city reevaluated the design plan.
In reevaluating the design plan amid construction costs, the city has chosen to implement 24-hour lane closures of one lane in each direction in sections of active construction. Blomquist said implementing 24-hour lane closures will save nearly $3 million over the course of the project.
Another benefit, Blomquist added, was the increased productivity and efficiency for construction crews, as traffic cones and signs will not have to be set up and torn down each day, resulting in an estimated two extra hours of construction work per day.
The city estimates that the revitalization project will be completed in the fall of 2026, however, according to a city news release, factors like weather, unknown underground conditions, and coordination between multiple project stakeholders and utility companies could delay completion of the project.
Blomquist emphasized that only sections under active construction will be closed and said businesses along the boulevard will remain open. “Business Open” signage will be placed at all open driveways informing residents of safe access points to and from private properties and businesses, the city said in its release.
Planned improvements include undergrounding of overhead utilities, installation of bicycle lanes and wide sidewalks, upgrading traffic signals to meet current standards, increasing safety and visibility through decorative street lighting, beautifying the corridor with new landscaping and trees, replacing old storm drain infrastructure, enhancing transit stops for ADA compliance. The city also plans to erect a “Welcome to Citrus Heights” gateway structure at the northern city limits, and complete a full roadway overlay and new striping.
“We’re going to see significant safety improvements,” Blomquist said, explaining that safety enhancements are not only designed to benefit drivers and reduce the chances of potential collisions, but enhancements like landscaping buffers between the street and sidewalks and new bike lanes will benefit pedestrians and bicyclists as well.
Blomquist said the improvements will create a more “appealing” and walkable boulevard, with new decorative street lighting and trees along the boulevard.
“We’re hoping that we can invite more people to come visit Citrus Heights,” Blomquist said.
Beginning in late August, the city announced team members for the Auburn Boulevard Project will host office hours at Rusch Community Park for business owners, residents and travelers to discuss the project’s developments. Specific dates and times weren’t immediately available and will be shared in the coming weeks, the city said. Until the August office hours begin, city staff are available to set up calls or meetings as needed.
After more than ten years of designing and planning, the second phase of construction along Auburn Boulevard is scheduled to begin Monday, July 22, the city announced last week...
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