By Sara Beth Williams–
A new stoplight has been planned for Auburn Boulevard as part of Phase 2 of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Project.
In an update Tuesday, city officials confirmed that foundations for the new traffic signal poles have already been poured, and all underground conduit has been installed. The new signal will be located approximately 375 feet south of Whyte Avenue, at the driveway entrances to the Citrus Grove and Tea It shopping centers.
The traffic signal will also be integrated into the gateway arch structure, which is currently under construction and will serve as a welcome landmark at the northern entrance of the city.
Work on the surrounding area has also been underway. New curbs and protected parking spaces were constructed earlier this summer on the Citrus Grove side of the future intersection. Improvements on the Tea It side will extend slightly into the property to improve traffic flow and safety. That portion of the work is still pending and is being coordinated with the property owner to accommodate future site development.
Once the signal is completed, drivers will be able to turn left into and out of both shopping centers using the new traffic signal. Meanwhile, access to Whyte Avenue will remain open, but with some modifications for safety. Vehicles traveling eastbound on Whyte Avenue from the dead-end side near Jack in the Box will be able to turn left onto northbound Auburn Boulevard, while drivers heading westbound on Whyte Avenue will be prohibited from making a left turn onto southbound Auburn Boulevard. A raised island will be installed to prevent that movement.
Planned improvements in the second phase of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Street project 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, and enhancing transit stops for ADA compliance.
Project costs are expected to remain at approximately $35 million, the city reported in its Five-Year Capital Improvement Program report, with $14 million of that cost being spent this year and another $4 million in the following year. The major capital works project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2026.
