California Department of Transportation
Caltrans > District 3 and North Region Projects > I-5 Elk Grove Blvd to Downtown Sacramento Bus Carpool Lane Project

I-5 Elk Grove Blvd to Downtown Sacramento Bus/Carpool Lane Project

Elk Grove Blvd

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA), is proposing to add approximately 13 miles of Bus/Carpool Lanes (also known as High Occupancy Vehicle or HOV lanes) in both directions of Interstate 5 (I-5) in Sacramento County, from about one mile south of Elk Grove Boulevard to U.S. Highway 50.  The project will also construct auxiliary lanes in both directions on I-5 between Florin Road and Pocket Road, and will upgrade the existing Casilada Pedestrian Overcrossing to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

PURPOSE AND NEED
I-5 plays a critical role in California’s economy by supporting a high volume of commute and interregional traffic as well as trucks transporting goods to destinations in and outside the state. Due to growing population and development, traffic volumes have increased causing the overall mobility and traffic flow to decline substantially in this portion of the corridor.  The project will:

  • Improve traffic flow and mobility on this section of I-5 by carrying more people in fewer vehicles during peak periods.
  • Improve traffic operations.
  • Promote ride sharing and the use of high occupancy vehicles, such as carpools, vanpools, and express bus services.
  • Provide another lane option for more consistent and predictable travel time for carpools, vanpools, buses, transit services and emergency vehicles during peak periods.
  • Use the highway facilities as efficiently as possible.

PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES
There are two proposed alternatives:

Alternative 1 – Bus/Carpool Lanes and Miscellaneous Improvements

  • Construct bus/carpool lanes on I-5 in Sacramento County, about one mile south of Elk Grove Boulevard to just south of U.S. Highway 50 in both the northbound and southbound directions.
  • Construct auxiliary lanes in both directions between the Pocket Road and Florin Road interchanges.
  • Replace the existing Casilada Pedestrian Overcrossing to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • Widening the Beach Lake Bridge at Morrison Creek and the overhead structure at the I-5/State Route 160 separation.
  • Sound walls at select locations (determined after noise studies are completed).
Alternative 2 – No Build