Construction bids for a $160 million project to build a regional expressway in Placer County, California are anticipated soon following recent action taken by the county’s board of supervisors.
The Placer County Board of Supervisors has approved plans and specifications for the project to build a regional expressway to reduce congestion in the western part of the county.
Phase I of the project, managed by the Placer County Department of Public Works, carries an estimated construction cost of $106 million and will soon be advertised for construction bids and start of construction in the spring or summer of 2026.
The new parway is expected to serve some of the fastest-growing communities in Placer County while easing traffic on state Route 65, Interstate 80 and local roadways, Placer County officials said. When fully built, the approximately 15-mile limited-access expressway will connect SR-65 in West Placer to state routes 70/99 in south Sutter County, improving access to the I-5 corridor, downtown Sacramento and Sacramento International Airport.
Phase I begins at the Whitney Ranch Parkway/SR-65 interchange in Rocklin and will extend to North Foothills Boulevard.
Key improvements include:
- Upgrading the SR-65 interchange at Whitney Ranch Parkway with new ramps and a six-lane bridge over SR-65.
- A four-lane roadway extension from SR-65 to North Foothills Boulevard.
- A grade-separated crossing over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.
Phase I will also incorporate a new water line to support future development in West Placer. Placer County Water Agency will reimburse the county for the cost of construction and administration.
The county said it has completed all necessary design work, right-of-way acquisitions and permitting to move the project forward.
Of the expected $160 million total cost, $106 million has been budgeted for construction and $56 million for costs related to project development, engineering, environmental review and project management.
Funding will come through a combination of the South Placer Regional Transportation Authority’s Tier 2 development fees, contributions from the United Auburn Indian Community and PCWA infrastructure funds.
County staff are preparing a financing plan to cover upfront costs before reimbursement through future development fees, according to Placer County officials.
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