By Sara Beth Williams–
A new set of stoplights have been installed on Auburn Boulevard in front of the Citrus Grove shopping center, one allowing traffic to travel northbound and southbound, and others to allow drivers to turn right and left out of the shopping centers on either side of Auburn Boulevard. The signal light is not yet operational.
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 extend slightly into the property to improve traffic flow and safety.
Vehicles traveling eastbound on Whyte Avenue from the dead-end side near Jack in the Box will still be permitted to turn left onto northbound Auburn Boulevard. However, according to an update from the city, a median is to be installed which will prevent drivers heading westbound on Whyte Avenue from making a left turn onto southbound Auburn Boulevard.
The stoplights are part of the major capital works infrastructure project occurring on Auburn Boulevard from just past Rusch Park to Citrus Heights’ northern city limits. Other stoplights along the route have also been upgraded, with the addition of audible pedestrian crossing alerts. An upgraded transit stop has also been added just after Rollingwood Boulevard.
New streetlamps have also been installed along the boulevard, with the design matching streetlights installed during the first phase of the complete streets project when Auburn Boulevard was upgraded from Sylvan Corners to Rusch Park.
Continued improvements in Phase 2 of the Complete Streets project include adding medians and beautifying the corridor with new landscaping and trees, among other upgrades.
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 summer of 2026, the city said last November.
