The Watt Avenue @ US-50 Interchange project proposes to provide multi-modal improvements along one of the region's most critical transportation corridors. The segment of Watt Avenue between Kiefer Boulevard and Fair Oaks Boulevard includes a key link to the U.S. Route 50 corridor and is adjacent to one of the few available crossings of the American River.

The project proposes to modify the existing full "cloverleaf" interchange on US-50 at Watt Avenue in order to reduce congestion, improve safety, and accommodate alternate modes of travel. Modifications will include the following:  

• Removing the northwest and southeast loop on-ramps to eliminate the short weaving sections in the outer lanes of northbound and southbound Watt Avenue and in the ramp transitions along eastbound and westbound US-50.
• Installing two signalized intersections to allow left and right turns from US-50 onto Watt Avenue.
• Constructing a new center structure connecting the existing northbound and southbound US-50 overpasses.
• Installing the initial working segment of a dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) facility in the median of Watt Avenue.
• Constructing a two-way bicycle and pedestrian multi-purpose trail along the east side of Watt Avenue through the US-50 and La Riviera Drive interchanges with undercrossings at the ramps.
• Constructing related intersection and transit access improvements.

We are excited to have John Jaeger, Senior Civil Engineer with Sacramento County, and Rob Himes, Principal at Mark Thomas & Company, Inc., speaking to us about this multifaceted project!

DATE:  Thursday, August 23, 2012