Why are lanes closed 24/7 on Auburn Blvd, even outside construction hours?

By Sara Beth Williams–
Following the beginning of roadway work on Auburn Boulevard, at least one lane has been closed — even outside construction hours.

City Engineer Leslie Blomquist sat down with The Sentinel recently to explain more about the project and the related 24/7 lane closures.

During the interview, Blomquist said implementing 24-hour lane closures will save several million dollars over the course of the project.

Once designs and planning for the second phase of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets project were initially completed, the city found that project costs had ballooned 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. Now the budget for construction sits at roughly $35.5 million.

In reevaluating the design plan amid construction costs, the city found that implementing 24-hour lane closures will save nearly $3 million over the course of the project, because of a significant decrease in the amount of time required for construction crews to repeatedly set up and then remove temporary traffic control, such as cones and signs.

Blomquist estimated that without the need to set up and tear down cones and signs, crews will have up to two extra hours per day for construction work, resulting in increased productivity throughout the course of the project.

What days and times will construction take place?

The city said in a statement that regular working hours of construction are scheduled to take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays.

If an area of the project has not had active construction for at least seven working days, the temporary traffic controls in that area will be removed, the city said. When work resumes in the given area, temporary traffic control will be reinstalled at that time.

The following travel lanes on Auburn Boulevard closest to the sidewalk are currently closed 24 hours a day, according to the city.

• Northbound Auburn Boulevard, between Whyte Avenue and the southern project limits
• Southbound Auburn Boulevard between Twin Oaks Avenue/Auburn Oaks Court and the southern project limits

Can drivers still access businesses?

In order to ensure drivers know businesses are still open, the city has displayed temporary bright orange signs with arrows pointing toward open driveways wherever businesses operate.

Blomquist emphasized that only sections under active construction will be closed and that businesses along the boulevard will remain open. She said construction crews will always allow for at least one access point to businesses along the boulevard.

What businesses are saying

Businesses have expressed support for the project, as well as concerns regarding the installation of medians and the potential for lost revenue from a lack of visitors during construction.

Dan Howes, who recently established the Auburn Corridor Development Collective said businesses he has spoken with since construction began have had positive remarks.

“Some of the businesses that were set back from the road commented that they felt their business could finally be seen now that the shrubs by the road had been cleared,” Howes said.

To address questions and concerns, the city is holding weekly drop-in office hours at Rusch Community Park from 10:30-11:30 a.m. every Thursday during the construction project. Construction management team members will be on hand. Residents can also contact the city’s General Services Department at (916) 727-4770 or email ABC2@citrusheights.net to schedule a meeting.

“This is really above and beyond what I expected,” Howes said.