Watt Avenue Improvement Project Enhances Safety for All Users

News Summary

Sacramento County officials have initiated the Watt Avenue Complete Street Improvements project to boost safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists along Watt Avenue. The construction, expected to conclude in late 2023, includes road repaving, improved sidewalks, and dedicated bike lanes. Although the project has caused temporary disruptions for local businesses and increased commute times, the upgrades aim to create a safer, more accessible environment on this heavily traveled corridor. Additionally, other infrastructure projects are underway in the area to further bolster safety and usability.

Sacramento County officials have announced the start of a significant construction project, known as the Watt Avenue Complete Street Improvements project, which aims to enhance safety for all road users along Watt Avenue from Orange Grove Avenue to Roseville Road. The project, which broke ground in March, is expected to improve conditions for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists in what is known as one of the busiest thoroughfares in Sacramento County.

Authorities urge everyone traveling through the area to remain vigilant and exercise caution due to increased construction activity. Approximately 53,000 vehicles traverse Watt Avenue daily, and with ongoing upgrades, residents can anticipate changes in traffic flow. Improvements will include repaving parts of the road, enhancing sidewalks for better pedestrian access, and establishing dedicated bicycle lanes to create a safer environment for all users.

The goals of the Watt Avenue project are largely centered on safety. Following a series of accidents that raised concerns about the safety of the roadway, the Sacramento County Department of Transportation flagged Watt Avenue as a critical corridor needing improvements in a 2019 assessment. Public Information Manager Matt Robinson indicated that this project focuses on reducing risks and enhancing the overall usability of this vital road.

The project has, however, not come without its challenges. Local businesses have reported a decrease in customer traffic due to the construction. For instance, Furniture Mart’s business manager, Haitao Yang, noted the impact of the ongoing repairs but has expressed optimism regarding the positive outcomes of the improvements once completed. Meanwhile, drivers like Chris Donaldson have observed longer commute times during construction but believe that the necessary upgrades will ultimately lead to smoother driving conditions.

Efforts to fund such large-scale roadway projects often face obstacles. Despite being a priority for the Board of Supervisors, accessing sufficient funding remains a recurring challenge. The initial timeline for the project was set to conclude in February 2026, but crews now anticipate a completion date in late 2023, which could help alleviate some congestion sooner than expected.

In addition to the Watt Avenue Complete Street project, there are other ongoing improvements in the area, such as the South Watt Avenue Improvement Project, which is also being undertaken to enhance safety. Moreover, a separate initiative is addressing the need for a new Arcade Creek Bridge on Auburn Boulevard, which has been considered functionally obsolete for over a decade. This bridge replacement is being funded primarily by a $9.2 million federal grant, supplemented by local city and county resources. The plans for the new bridge include increasing its width to 100 feet, adding a second left-turn lane, and including necessary sidewalks and bike lanes for better accessibility.

As part of the bridge construction, a portion of Auburn Boulevard related to the bridge project will be closed for approximately three months starting after Memorial Day. Officials have coordinated this schedule to minimize disruptions during the summer when nearby American River College is on break. Detour plans for drivers will direct them towards Highway 244, which connects to Interstate 80, the Capital City Freeway, and Watt Avenue, ensuring that there are alternative routes available.

The Watt Avenue Complete Streets project is part of a broader initiative in Sacramento County aimed at improving safety and infrastructure for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists following a worrying trend of collisions in recent years. The ongoing improvements along Watt Avenue and related projects are steps towards creating safer road environments for all users.

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Author: HERE New York

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