The project will expand the trail network by closing critical gaps between local and regional trails. It will also allow for more walking and biking along Old Auburn Road and Wachtel Way and improve traffic safety along Old Auburn Road. Photo courtesy of the City of Citrus Heights

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - At the May 13 meeting, the Citrus Heights City Council considered the Gateway Activation Project (GAP), along with amendments to the Bikeway Master Plan, Pedestrian Master Plan and General Plan Bikeways Map. 

Community Development Director Casey Kempenaar explained that this project and the amendments are necessary to create a well-connected, safe and sustainable Complete Streets network and trail system. The project will expand the trail network by closing critical gaps between local and regional trails. It will also allow for more walking and biking along Old Auburn Road and Wachtel Way and improve traffic safety along Old Auburn Road. 

The project design includes the following features: three new roundabouts located at Old Auburn Road/Argo Drive, Old Auburn Road/Wachtel Way and Old Auburn Road/Oakwood Hills Circle/Linda Creek Court; multi-use paths extending along Old Auburn Road and Wachtel Way; and connections to regional trail systems in Roseville and Sacramento County.

Last June, council directed staff to move forward with preliminary engineering and environmental review, which are now complete. The city’s Mitigation Monitoring Plan addresses necessary tree removal, as well as traffic impacts. Staff also conducted public outreach for the project, including public meetings, mailers, a public comment period and a dedicated project webpage.

Development of the plan has been fully funded by a state budget allocation received in 2022. Funding for actual construction has not yet been identified, but adopting these plan amendments will help the city secure future grants for final design and construction. Kempenaar said the rest of the process will likely take a few years. 

During public comments, a resident shared concerns about the proposed roundabouts, stating that they will confuse drivers. In particular, he believed there is too much traffic at the Wachtel location for a roundabout.  

Councilmember Jayna Karpinski-Costa asked whether the traffic study considered the traffic volume at that location. Kempenaar said it was included in the traffic model. He agreed “there is a little bit of learning curve” for drivers who are unfamiliar with roundabouts, but the city will conduct outreach to help educate the public. Roundabouts are becoming more common throughout the region, so by the time this one is built, he expects more drivers will be familiar with them. 

Councilmember Tim Schaefer agreed that drivers just need more exposure to roundabouts.  

Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff said the roundabout will benefit the neighborhood by slowing speeds and encouraging drivers to exercise more caution on the road. 

The council voted unanimously to approve the project and all amendments. 

Next, they considered an updated agreement with Verra Mobility for red-light photo enforcement, as the current agreement expires this year. 

Citrus Heights Police Chief Alex Turcotte said the program was implemented in 2008, and there are currently red light cameras at eight intersections throughout the city: Antelope Road/Garden Gate Drive, Auburn Boulevard/Antelope Road, Greenback Lane/Fountain Square Drive, Greenback Lane/San Juan Avenue, Greenback Lane/Auburn Boulevard (two approaches), Greenback Lane/Sunrise Boulevard, Greenback Lane/Park Oaks Drive and Sunrise Boulevard/Oak Avenue (two approaches). 

Chief Turcotte said citation data from 2025 show 17% of red violations were from Citrus Heights residents, down from 18% in 2024. So, many violations are not committed by residents, which Turcotte attributed to the department’s efforts to educate the public about the program. He also presented statistics indicating that collisions at the monitored intersections have decreased since the photo enforcement program began. 

The program is cost neutral, with revenue from violations covering the cost of the contract, which is approximately $521,963 annually.  

The council voted unanimously to approve a three-year agreement with Verra Mobility for the continued operation, maintenance and administration of the red-light camera enforcement program. 

Finally, the council considered granting funds to the nonprofit Citrus Heights Art for the installation of a mural at City Hall to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary. An allocation of $6,000 from the city’s Community Support Grant would cover much of the $8,000 mural cost, with Citrus Heights Art fundraising to cover the remainder. 

Citrus Heights Art would release mural concepts through social media so residents can vote for their favorite. The goal is to begin the mural early in June so it can be completed before the city’s Stars and Stripes Celebration on June 28. 

Councilmember Schaefer suggested the council should have input on the final concept, and the consensus was for the final design to come back to council for review before installation begins. The council voted unanimously to approve the mural funding. 

The next meeting of the Citrus Heights City Council is scheduled for May 27.