Caltrans prepares for roundabout work on Highway 49

Caltrans roadwork may soon resume for a roundabout at the gateway to the American River Canyon as utility contract work at the intersection of Lincoln Way and Borland Avenue intersection began this week. Caltrans reports that PG&E contractors were on site this week and the city of Auburn warned residents of traffic impacts starting Friday due to PG&E power pole work for the construction site. The work is in preparation for Caltrans' $9.9 million roadway project that aims to improve a quarter-mile segment of SR-49 near Lincoln Way and Borland Avenue. The project will align two reversing curves to improve sight distance and safety by reducing the sharpness of each curve. The work will include replacing the Lincoln Way/Borland Avenue intersection with a traffic circle. Starting Friday, the PG&E contractor will be on the shoulder where Jordan Lane meets Highway 49 flagging onsite to let residents in and out of Jordan Lane as needed. On May 4, crews will be working where Aeolia Drive meets Lincoln Way, and the roadway along Aeolia will be closed for the duration of the PG&E work. The contractor for the project estimated six hours. On May 4 and 5, crews will work at the corner of Borland Avenue and Lincoln Way to set power poles. Lane shifts may be necessary. After utility work is completed, Caltrans' can restart its efforts to install a traffic circle at the busy intersection, which is the gateway to recreational activities in the Auburn State Recreation Area. The project was previously paused due to the winter weather conditions. According to a Caltrans press release last fall, roadwork will include overnight one-way traffic control between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Friday during construction. Occasional Saturday work may be required. The project has a projected completion of fall 2023, but it is unclear if the completion will be delayed due to a lengthy winter pause in construction. Caltrans was unable to provide updated information before press deadline.