Commuters in Auburn are facing a three-week disruption as Caltrans shuts down a section of State Route 49 starting today. This closure, part of the Lincoln Way/Borland Avenue roundabout project, is expected to cause some headaches for motorists accustomed to traversing this stretch of highway. The road will reopen on December 22 at 6 a.m. after workers construct a roundabout intended to facilitate smoother traffic flow, as reported by CBS Sacramento.
According to details from FOX40, the $13.1 million American Canyon Roundabout Project closure will stretch south to the American River Confluence. A temporary three-way traffic signal will be installed at Foresthill Road and Old Foresthill Road to help manage the redirected traffic. Officials suggest that additional delays up to 15 minutes could become more pronounced during peak commuting hours, even though resident will have access with albeit slowed movement due to construction activity.
In anticipation of the closure, Caltrans has outlined several detour routes. For southbound traffic on SR-49, the recommended detour involves taking Interstate 80 east to the Foresthill Road exit, then continuing to Old Foresthill Road to rejoin southbound SR-49. Northbound travelers will also have designated detour route involving Old Foresthill Road, Foresthill Road, and a merge onto I-80 west to get back to Highway 49. Alternative routes for local streets, such as Borland Avenue and Lincoln Way, have been specified as well.
Caltrans District 3 manages more than 4,385 lane miles in Northern California and reminds drivers to exercise caution in work zones, stating, 'Be Work Zone Alert.' The construction, which aims to improve the traffic flow and safety at the Lincoln Way and Borland Avenue intersection, is subject to delays due to weather conditions, material availability, or other unforeseen events.
