Placer County, Erik Bergen
Placer to explore third roundabout for Kings Beach
AUBURN, Calif. — A new roundabout could be in the works for a high-traffic interchange in Kings Beach, with the Placer County Board of Supervisors today approving a $900,000 contract agreement with Omni-Means to begin the safety and congestion improvement project.
A partnership with Caltrans, the estimated $7 million project is expected to be funded from several sources, with a majority coming from federal programs.
Currently, traffic at the interchange is controlled by traffic signals, slowing the flow of traffic at the intersection of state Route 267 and state Route 28.
The project aims to improve mobility for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, and enhance stormwater runoff quality. In addition to the new roundabout, it would add new sidewalks, a bicycle lane and amenities such as benches, bicycle racks, lighting and landscaping.
“Our existing roundabouts have been envisioned to work best with a third roundabout and have proved to reduce traffic speeds through Kings Beach and allow people to walk around more safely,” said Dan LaPlante, Placer County Department of Public Works and Facilities civil engineer.
With the board’s approval, the project will move toward preliminary engineering analysis and environmental studies, with a draft of the plan expected to be ready for public review in late 2019.
If the project is approved, construction is expected to begin in 2022.
