Placer Parkway has been a decades-long regional transportation priority, aimed at serving some of the fastest-growing communities in the county while easing traffic on state Route 65, Interstate 80 and local roadways. Photo courtesy of Placer County

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - The long-anticipated Placer Parkway project – a new regional expressway designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve connections across West Placer – will soon break ground.

The Placer County Board of Supervisors today approved a $61.6 million construction contract for Phase I, which will connect state Route 65 at the Whitney Ranch Parkway interchange with a six-lane road to North Foothills Boulevard.

The construction contract was awarded to A. Teichert & Son Inc. of Roseville, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

Construction is expected to begin this summer.

Placer Parkway has been a decades-long regional transportation priority, aimed at serving some of the fastest-growing communities in the county while easing traffic on state Route 65, Interstate 80 and local roadways. When complete, the approximately 15-mile 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.

“Placer Parkway is a transformative investment in our region’s future,” said Board Chair and District 2 Supervisor Shanti Landon. “Awarding this contract moves us from planning to construction and brings us closer to relieving congestion, improving safety and supporting economic growth in western Placer County.”

Key components of Phase 1 include: upgrades to the SR-65/Whitney Ranch Parkway interchange, including new ramps and a widened six-lane overcrossing; a new four-lane roadway connecting SR-65 to Foothills Boulevard; a grade-separated crossing over Union Pacific Railroad tracks; and widening Whitney Ranch Parkway to six lanes.

In partnership with the Placer County Water Agency, the project also includes installation of a major waterline to support future development in West Placer.

The project will improve regional mobility, reduce congestion on SR-65 and I-80, and support goods movement along the I-80 corridor.

Total Phase I costs are estimated at $90 million, with construction totaling about $61.6 million. Funding comes from South Placer Regional Transportation Authority fees, contributions from the United Auburn Indian Community, Placer County Water Agency funds and advanced county general fund contributions that will ultimately be repaid by future SPRTA fees. County financing will be repaid through future development fees.

Watch our Department of Public Works presentation on the project on YouTube.

In a separate action, the Board of Supervisors approved a $9.8 million construction management and materials testing contract with Psomas for the Placer Parkway project.