California Department of Transportation
Caltrans > District 3 and North Region Projects > Sac/Pla I-80
 
 

Sac/Pla I-80 Operational & Capacity Improvement Project

Traffic on I-80

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This State Transportation Improvement Project on Interstate 80 (I-80) in Sacramento and Placer Counties is a 5.8 mile project that will increase freeway capacity, improve safety, and improve traffic flow from approximately one-half mile west of the Sacramento/Placer County line to approximately one mile east of the State Route 65 connector in Placer County.  The improvements include widening the I-80 mainline with additional mainline and/or auxiliary lanes; installation of ramp meters to regulate the flow of traffic entering the freeway; and upgrading the traffic monitoring system which includes improving the interchanges at Riverside Ave./Auburn Blvd., Douglas Blvd., Atlantic St./Eureka Rd., Taylor Rd. and the State Route 65 connector.

The project will be constructed in four phases:

Phase 1 includes extending the eastbound on-ramp from Auburn Blvd./Riverside Ave. to become an auxiliary lane through the Douglas Blvd. Interchange (approximately 1 mile), and add a bus/carpool (HOV) lane on the Riverside Ave. on-ramp.  Construction is underway and scheduled to be completed in 2008. 

Phase 2 includes constructing an east and westbound bus/carpool (HOV) lane and auxiliary lanes from the Sacramento/Placer County line to just west of Miners’ Ravine-Eureka Road (approximately 2.8 miles).  Construction is planned to start in 2008 and completed in 2010.

Phase 3A includes constructing the westbound extension of the bus/carpool (HOV) lane and auxiliary lanes from Miners’ Ravine past State Route 65. Construction is planned to start in 2009 and completed in 2011.

Phase 3B includes constructing the eastbound extension of the bus/carpool (HOV) lane and auxiliary lanes from Miners’ Ravine past State Route 65. This phase of the overall project is not currently funded.

 

PURPOSE AND NEED
I-80 is a critical economic artery for California and the nation. The interstate is one of three continuous coast-to-coast highways. The project will address and provide the following benefits:

  • Improve safety and traffic mobility to address the current and future travel demands in Sacramento and Placer Counties.
  • Improve interregional freight traffic flow and reduce congestion related, economic losses that can occur when transporting goods to critical access points such as the Sacramento International and Mather Airports and the West Coast ports of entry at San Francisco, Oakland, Stockton and Sacramento.
  • Improve regional connections between high-tech industries and the booming businesses and residential growth in both Sacramento and Placer Counties.