By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to award a contract to move forward with preliminary work on a “Gateway Activation Project,” which seeks to bring improvements to the area of Old Auburn Road and Wachtel Way and plans to connect various regional and local multi-use trails.
The contract with Dokken Engineering for the Gateway Activation Project was presented to the City Council on Sept. 25 and received unanimous support from council members. Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa called it “a great project,” preceding a unanimous vote.
The objective of the project involves extending multi-model forms of transportation from the terminus of the Arcade-Cripple Creek trail to the intersection of Old Auburn Road, and from the Old Auburn Road multi-use trail to the city’s northern border with the City of Roseville. The contract indicates potential for roundabouts or traffic signals at two existing all-way stop intersections in the area.
Community Development Director Casey Kempenaar said Sacramento County has envisioned a 70-mile trail loop that extends from Folsom Lake to Downtown Sacramento, which includes the American River Parkway, Dry Creek Greenway, Dry Creek Parkway, Rio Linda Parkway, and Two Rivers Trail, according to a map shared by the city. Currently, Sacramento County and Sacramento Council Area of Governments (SACOG) are “leading the charge” on which routes to propose for extension all the way to Folsom Lake.
Connecting the Arcade-Cripple Creek and Old Auburn Road trails to the Dry Creek Greenway in Roseveille is a “great first step” Kempenaar said. Roseville has already begun construction on portions of the Dry Creek Greenway trail.
The current Gateway Activation Project phase involves community outreach and engagement, and collaboration with multiple partners locally, in Sacramento County, and the City of Roseville. The phase also includes preliminary engineering and an environmental review.
Other planned improvements will include complete street roadway design for Old Auburn Road and Wachtel Way and intersection modifications at Old Auburn Road. Kempenaar said currently both streets have inconsistent sidewalks and bike lanes.
In 2022, former Assemblymember Ken Cooley’s office coordinated a $700,000 appropriation from the State General Fund for the Citrus Heights Gateway Activation Project. In May 2023, a fund transfer agreement was signed between the California Department of Transportation and the city, and funds were received and deposited. According to the city, the funds are required to be used by April 2026 and can’t be used for any other project.
In July 2024, staff issued a Request for Proposals for preliminary engineering, environmental documentation, right-of-way, final design, and construction support services for the Gateway Activation Project. Interviews of three consultant teams were conducted in early September. Dokken was determined to be the most qualified consultant, according to the city and the $685,000 estimate came in below the $700,000 appropriation funding.
The Gateway Activation Project will involve construction and improvements along Old Auburn Road and Wachtel Way and connect various regional and local walking and biking trails.
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