The upcoming project also includes the reconfiguration of the four-way intersection of Butternut Drive and Villarview Drive, which is east of the intersection of Roseville Road and Butternut Drive. Graphic courtesy of City of Citrus Heights

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Motorists who want to turn right onto Roseville Road from Butternut Drive or who wish to turn left onto Butternut Drive from Roseville Road can expect to see some significant traffic safety improvements when work on the busy intersection in the west side of Citrus Heights is completed this fall.

The city is finalizing bid documents for the designated Roseville Road/Butternut Drive Safety Improvements project which will then be submitted to Caltrans for approval, said Marisa Brown city communications officer.

The upcoming project also includes the reconfiguration of the four-way intersection of Butternut Drive and Villarview Drive which is east of the intersection of Roseville Road and Butternut Drive.

The city has contracted with Kimley-Horn and Associates, a consultant engineering firm, to complete the construction documents. The project has already completed preliminary design and environmental phase, according to the city. 

Both intersections will be improved to provide curb extensions, also called bulb-outs, that enhance pedestrian safety by increasing pedestrian visibility, shortening crossing distances, slowing turning vehicles and visually narrowing the roadway.

The project will include a dedicated left-turn lane for southbound Roseville Road, new bike lanes, signage and adjustments to traffic lighting, Brown said. 

A preliminary project drawing shows considerable amount of restriping along a substantial portion of Roseville Road on either side of the Butternut Drive intersection where the new left-turn lane will be created.

“There will be some pavement rehabilitation and restriping of approximately 1,000 feet of Roseville Road, 500 feet in both directions from the Butternut Drive intersection,” Brown said.

The Roseville Road/Butternut Drive Safety Improvements project was first identified in the city’s Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) as an intersection that had a higher- than-average rate of collisions, Brown said.

Funds for the project were obtained through a Caltrans Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant. 

“Since this project is a Caltrans HSIP, and is grant funded, all of our approved city documents will need to be reviewed by them (Caltrans) prior to release of the construction grant funds,” Brown said. “As soon as the grant funding by Caltrans is released, the city of Citrus Heights will then be able to advertise the bid. The city’s goal is to complete this project before the end of 2025.”

For more information about the project, visit bit.ly/Roseville-Butternut-Safety or email [email protected]