News Summary
Sacramento County has initiated the Watt Avenue Complete Street Improvements Project, aimed at enhancing safety for all users including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The project will involve repaving the road, upgrading sidewalks, and adding dedicated bicycle lanes. While businesses along Watt Avenue are experiencing reduced traffic due to construction, there is optimism for the improvements. The project, originally set for completion in February 2026, now anticipates a finish by late 2023, contributing to safer transportation in the area.
Sacramento County Launches Watt Avenue Complete Street Improvements Project to Enhance Safety for All Users
Sacramento County officials are emphasizing the need for caution among drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists as they navigate Watt Avenue, where a significant construction project is taking place. The Watt Avenue Complete Street Improvements project commenced in March and aims to enhance safety along Watt Avenue between Orange Grove Avenue and Roseville Road.
The primary objective of this project is to improve safety conditions for all users of the road. The planned enhancements include repaving portions of Watt Avenue, upgrading sidewalks, and establishing dedicated bicycle lanes. Public Information Manager Matt Robinson noted that the project highlights a commitment to making the area safer for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who share the roadway.
Businesses operating along Watt Avenue are already feeling the effects of the ongoing construction. Haitao Yang, the business manager of Furniture Mart, indicated a noticeable decline in customer traffic attributed to the construction work. However, Yang remains optimistic about the benefits that these roadway improvements will bring in the long run.
In 2019, the Sacramento County Department of Transportation pinpointed Watt Avenue as a corridor in urgent need of upgrades due to rising safety concerns. This thoroughfare is one of the busiest roads in Sacramento County, with nearly 53,000 vehicles passing through daily. As such, enhancing its safety has become increasingly critical.
While many drivers, including Chris Donaldson, have reported experiencing slower commute times during the construction, they express hope that these upgrades will lead to better road conditions in the future. Authorities remind drivers to stay alert and pay attention to road signs, construction crews, and open holes during this phase of the project.
Initially, the Watt Avenue project was scheduled for completion in February 2026; however, an accelerated timeline now anticipates the project to be completed by late 2023. In addition to this project, the South Watt Avenue Improvement Project is also currently in progress, further indicating a strong focus on enhancing local infrastructure.
Furthermore, a separate initiative will address the replacement of the Arcade Creek Bridge on Auburn Boulevard, which has been deemed functionally obsolete. Planning for this bridge replacement has taken over a decade, and it is set to be funded primarily by a $9.2 million federal grant, along with support from the city and county. The upgrade will increase the bridge’s width to 100 feet and will feature a second left-turn lane, complete with sidewalks and bike lanes for better accessibility.
To minimize disruptions during the summer break at nearby American River College, a small section of Auburn Boulevard related to the bridge project will close for about three months after Memorial Day. Detours will direct drivers to Highway 244, connecting them with Interstate 80, the Capital City Freeway, and Watt Avenue, ensuring continued movement throughout the area while construction is underway.
The Watt Avenue Complete Streets Project is part of a larger initiative designed to improve safety for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists in response to a series of deadly collisions reported in previous years. This comprehensive approach aims to foster a safer and more efficient transportation environment within Sacramento County.
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Additional Resources
- KCRA: Watt Avenue Construction Impacts Sacramento Businesses
- Sacramento Bee: Transportation News
- KCRA: Groundbreaking Held for Watt Avenue Safety Improvements Project
- Google Search: Watt Avenue construction Sacramento
- Sac Observer: Sacramento County Homelessness Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Watt Avenue construction
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