City Hosts Open House for I-5 Interchange Project

Photo courtesy City of Sacramento

BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

A proposed interchange project at Interstate 5 and Richards Boulevard promises to reduce traffic congestion and improve access for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Four design options are being considered for the interchange project.

The city is currently hosting a virtual open house through May 22 where participants can learn more about the different alternatives being considered.

The open house entails watching a 12-minute video. After watching the video, participants may use an online form to submit their questions, comments or requests to receive updates about the project via email.

Project alternatives range in from $45 million to $100 million. The project would be paid for using Regional Surface Transportation and Measure A funds.

A spokesperson said the city would like to get as much input from commuters, bicyclists, pedestrians, business and property owners as possible on the proposed interchange project.

Already existing traffic congestion at Interstate 5 and Richards Boulevard is expected to worsen as future development occurs in the area.

The interchange was last studied by the city in 2010, resulting in widening Richards Boulevard and other improvements to the I-5 off-ramps and Jibboom Street.

But, according to the city, those updates are not enough to accommodate anticipated growth in the River District and Railyards, where a new Kaiser hospital and major league soccer stadium are planned to be built.

The open house video provides background on the proposed project and details each of the four alternatives being studied. It also details proposed bike and pedestrian connections and compares the cost-benefit of each of the four alternatives being studied.

Two additional videos on the project website illustrate diverging diamond interchanges — including a video from a driver’s perspective — being considered. A diverging diamond interchange is a type of diamond interchange in which the two directions of traffic on the non-freeway road cross to the opposite side on both sides of the bridge at the freeway.

All four alternatives incorporate new walkways and bike lanes including a new bike and pedestrian path from Bercut Drive to the Two Rivers Trail.

Once the open house closes on May 22, a summary document which includes answers to all the questions submitted will be added to the project website.

To participate in the project’s virtual open house go to http://bit.ly/I-5RichardsBoulevard.