With the start of the new semester at California State University, Sacramento, the Sacramento County Department of Transportation (SACDOT) is alerting motorists that there will be increased traffic at the Watt Avenue and US-50 interchange, beginning on Monday, January 27. Due to the increased volume, motorist should expect to increase their driving time through the interchange and proceed carefully through the construction area by reducing speed.
Since construction began in November 2012, much progress has been made on all phases of the interchange project. There are new freeway off-ramps and off-ramps traffic signals. In mid-December new traffic lanes were opened on northbound and southbound Watt Avenue, and a new lane on the westbound off-ramp. Additionally, the traffic signals have been retimed and coordinated with improvements to real time traffic monitoring to ease traffic congestion. A new center bridge structure is now complete, and provides additional pavement area for traffic lanes and a Bus-Rapid-Transit (BRT) lane. As well, construction of a separated bicycle/pedestrian pathway is underway and two concrete under-crossings have been constructed, along with portions of the pathway.
Once completed, the Watt Ave US-50 interchange will provide a reduction in drive times through the interchange and will make for easier and safer access on and off the freeway for all motorists, with dedicated transit facilities, as well as, improved access and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.
The Watt Avenue at US-50 project completion is anticipated by mid-summer of this year.