Date: October 5, 2021 #21-309
District: District 3 – Marysville
Contact: Dennis Keaton
Phone: (916) 825-5252
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Caltrans Marks Major Milestone with Opening of New Bus/Carpool Lane on Interstate 5 in Sacramento
SB 1-Funded FixSac5 Project Ahead of Schedule
SACRAMENTO COUNTY — Marking a major milestone in the Interstate 5 (I-5) Corridor Improvement project (FixSac5), Caltrans today opened a new southbound bus/carpool lane well ahead of the project’s anticipated completion date. The $370 million project includes $48 million in funding from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
“Reducing the mileage traveled by single-occupancy cars on California’s highways is an important part of Caltrans’ strategic plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Director Toks Omishakin. “The opening of the new bus and carpool lane gives travelers a convenient alternative to quickly reach their destination while also helping the environment.”
The FixSac5 project is the largest construction project for the Sacramento I-5 corridor since its construction in 1975. The project is designed to provide motorists a significantly better daily commute along the busy freeway corridor connecting Pocket Road in Sacramento with Elk Grove Boulevard in Elk Grove.
Construction began in November 2019, with the estimated completion date of winter 2022. The project is on track for completion in summer 2022. The remaining work includes additional mainline pavement and striping work, curb and signal work near on and off-ramps, additional electrical wiring, and adding new signs along I-5.
“The project’s overall progress is ahead of schedule and the new bus/carpool lane will be a welcome relief to the many motorists travelling southbound on I-5 to Elk Grove,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Amarjeet Benipal.
More than 200,000 vehicles and approximately 15,000 trucks use this section of I-5 each day to move commercial goods and services throughout the Sacramento region and the state.
SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually shared equally by the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly due to the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. For more information about other transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.
Caltrans District 3 maintains more than 4,385 miles of state highway in eleven Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties. Caltrans issues timely updates about road conditions on Twitter and on Facebook, and encourages the public to follow its construction updates. For real-time traffic information, go to QuickMap.dot.ca.gov or download the free Caltrans QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play. And, for more information specifically about the FixSac5 project, text “FixSac5” to 74121 or visit FixSac5.com.
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