Garden Highway to Remain Closed into February

Source: Google Maps

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Garden Highway will remain closed to through traffic until at least mid-February, according to an update issued today by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Wet weather has delayed levee improvement work and Garden Highway will remain completely closed to traffic between Northgate Boulevard to Natomas Park Drive through mid-February.

“We apologize for this continued inconvenience but appreciate your patience as we complete this vital flood risk reduction work.”

The road was closed July 8 and was expected to reopen to Oct. 31, but has encountered more than one delay.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The Army Corps, California Central Valley Flood Protection Board, California Department of Water Resources and Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency are constructing levee improvements in the Lower Natomas Basin.

The work includes installation of a seepage cutoff wall down the center of the levee roadway to help reduce the risk of flooding for the Natomas Basin.

The seepage cutoff wall is in place, but the Army Corps reports it is still completing work at Sump 58 that would remove drainage water from the neighborhood to the creek ensuring the safety of the adjacent neighborhood.

Sump 58’s discharge pipes run from the land side of Garden Highway across the levee road to the creek. This underground work prevents the Army Corps from reopening the roadway until the work is complete.

“We now expect Garden Highway to remain closed for a couple more weeks, reopening in Mid-February,” read the update. “We apologize for this continued inconvenience but appreciate your patience as we complete this vital flood risk reduction work.”

The No.2 eastbound lane of Garden Highway will remain closed underneath Interstate 5 through mid-February where Army Corps crews here are also doing levee improvement work.

Drivers who typically use Garden Highway will continue to be detoured to West El Camino Avenue.

The bike path along Garden Highway will remain open throughout the construction period and associated closures.