Workshop attendees previewed sketches of roundabout designs that could be placed at intersections of Old Auburn Way and Wachtel Road; Old Auburn Road and Oakwood Hills Circle; and Argo and Old Auburn Road. Photo by Tom J. Sullivan

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Planned improvements to roads and pathways along Old Auburn Road and Wachtel Way are expected to start in 2028, as part of the city of Citrus Height’s Gateway Activation Project (GAP).

The improvements could help daily commuters who use the historic heavily-traveled route which cuts diagonally east to west across the city.

Residents had an opportunity to view and comment on some of the multiple design proposals under consideration and a timeline for the Gateway Activation Project’s completion in an April 29 public workshop at the Big Oak Mobile Home Park at 8300 Old Auburn Road.

Citrus Heights Community Development Director Casey Kempenaar said that project approval and environmental review is expected to be completed in spring 2026. Construction is tentatively set for spring 2028, according to Kempenaar.

Overall traffic on Old Auburn Road is averaged to be more than 14,000 vehicles per day in each commute direction, workshop participants were told. A computer simulation study during the workshop illustrated areas where traffic often bottles up.

“The Gateway Activation Project has two general objectives, local and regional trail connectivity and local roadway enhancement,” Kempenaar said. 

Here is a view of Old Auburn Road. Photo courtesy of City of Citrus Heights

When completed, the project will connect the Old Auburn Multi-Use Trail and newly-completed Arcade Cripple Creek Trail in Citrus Heights with the Dry Creek Greenway in Roseville. The project would also connect to future pedestrian pathways in the northeast corner of the city of Citrus Heights, improving access to neighborhoods, parks, and trails, according to the city.

The upcoming project closes the gap between the three multi-use trails in Citrus Heights, Roseville and Sacramento County. 

The current timeline described at the workshop includes completion of traffic studies, environmental clearances, public utility coordination and necessary right-of-way acquisition.

Workshop attendees previewed sketches of roundabout designs that could be placed at the intersections of Old Auburn Way and Wachtel Road; Old Auburn Road and Oakwood Hills Circle; Argo and Old Auburn Road.

Last September, the Citrus Heights City Council voted unanimously to award a contract to move forward with preliminary work on a “Gateway Activation Project,” seeking to bring improvements to the area of Old Auburn Road and Wachtel Way and plans to connect various regional and local multi-use trails. 

A contract that was awarded to Dokken Engineering for the Gateway Activation Project received unanimous support from council members. Dokken Engineering representatives were present at the workshop to answer questions about the project.

The project’s general objective involves extending multi-model forms of transportation from the terminus of the Arcade-Cripple Creek trail to the intersection of Old Auburn Road, and from the Old Auburn Road multi-use trail to the city’s northern border with the City of Roseville. 

Connecting the Arcade-Cripple Creek and Old Auburn Road trails to the Dry Creek Greenway in Roseville is a “great first step,” Kempenaar said. Roseville has already begun construction on portions of the Dry Creek Greenway trail.

Other planned improvements will include adoption of the city’s “Complete Street” roadway design for Old Auburn Road and Wachtel Way and intersection modifications at Old Auburn Road, according to Kempenaar. Both streets have inconsistent sidewalks and bike lanes, he added.

Old Auburn Road has a rich history. After gold was discovered in 1848, a road was established from Sacramento to Auburn and beyond to carry supplies to the miners, according to the Citrus Heights Historical Society.

The original wagon road followed today’s Auburn Boulevard and Old Auburn Road. It took horse-drawn wagons two days to make the 36-mile trip from Sacramento to Auburn. Way stations, or Mile Houses, were established in Citrus Heights for teamsters to get food and spend the night.

Here is a map of the project area provided by the city of Citrus Heights. Photo courtesy of City of Citrus Heights

Intersection improvements are under consideration in three locations (Oakwood Hills Circle, Wachtel Way and Oakwood Hills Circle/Linda Creek Court).

Improvements that facilitate traffic safety through these three closely-spaced intersections by addressing issues such as the interaction between the three intersections and the difficulty in making the left turn from Oakwood Hills Circle to Old Auburn Road are being considered, according to the city.

When completed, the Gateway Activation Project is anticipated to address residents’ needs for safe, convenient and comfortable access to key destinations, including neighborhoods, parks, open spaces, residences and trail networks within and outside of city limits.

Kempenaar said that pedestrian crossing and safety improvements at Old Auburn Road and Argo Drive are also under consideration.

According to the project description, the bicycle/pedestrian improvements along Wachtel Way will extend from just south of Pitalo Way at Arcade-Cripple Creek Trail to Old Auburn Road. Bicycle/pedestrian improvements along Old Auburn Road will extend from Auburn Oaks Village Lane on the west to the Placer County line on the east.

In addition, intersection improvements at Argo Drive/Old Auburn Road will evaluate adding a pedestrian crossing and enhanced safety features, Kempenaar said.

For more information about the Gateway Activation Project, visit online citrusheights.net/1343/Gateway-Activation-Project-GAP.