By Sara Beth Williams–
Phase Two of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Project is wrapping up, with an expected completion date of mid-August, city officials say.
Currently, all lanes are now open, but the city confirmed short-term lane closures may still need to take place as crews complete the finishing touches on the new “Welcome to Citrus Heights” gateway arch.
Remaining work includes installing the decorative features on the gateway arch columns, along with a few final items such as landscaping and minor repairs, city officials say.
One lane in each direction will need to be closed again for installation of the decorative work that needs to occur on the gateway arch columns. The city said crews are currently waiting for supplies to arrive and will complete the finishing touches when materials arrive on site.
The city plans to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony with project partners on Thursday, Aug. 13. at 10:30 a.m. at 8550 Auburn Blvd.
The long-awaited second phase of revitalization on Auburn Boulevard was originally projected to cost $35.5 million, according to past reports. The new overall project estimate is now $36.3 million, with the included updated construction, construction management, inspection and design support costs.
The approval of additional construction work does not impact the city’s general fund, officials said, because much of the added work will either be reimbursed by private developers, utility companies or outside agencies, or funded through existing restricted transportation funding sources.
The updated estimate now includes $282,000 in additional private property upgrade work and another $75,000 for private parking lot restoration work, bringing the estimated construction subtotal to more than $32.1 million.
Additionally, construction management and inspection services are now estimated at approximately $4 million, while design support services total about $125,000, bringing the overall project estimate to $36.34 million.
“As construction progressed, unforeseen field conditions have required adjustments to the original design,” city officials said in July. “These conditions have resulted in impacts to several private properties beyond what was initially anticipated.”
The Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Project Phase 2 has been funded through a combination of local, regional and state transportation grants and other roadway funding sources. Much of the additional funding will come from existing SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account funds, along with $75,000 in Roadway Impact Fee funds to support the remaining work.
Previously secured funding sources include multiple Sacramento Area Council of Governments grants, an Active Transportation Program grant, a Placer-Sacramento Gateway Plan grant, a Smart Growth Incentive Program grant, Measure A and Measure A maintenance funds, SB1 funding, and Roadway Impact Fee funds.
The funding sources are also listed in detail in the Citrus Heights City Council agenda packet from May 27, along with more information. See the agenda packet here.
Planned improvements for the second phase of the complete streets project have included adding new sidewalks, undergrounding of utilities, storm drain repairs and upgrades, the addition of new street lighting, new trees and shrubs, new medians, new turn pockets, and the installation of new and upgraded signal lights at intersections along the boulevard.
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