Caltrans updates Auburn City Council on roundabout delay

It's been more than two years since construction began on the American Canyon Roundabout Project at the intersection Lincoln Way, Borland Avenue and Highway 49 in Auburn. Construction is experiencing another delay, and the roundabout was addressed at the Auburn City Council's first meeting of 2025 on Monday night. The item was not part of the council's agenda. Sue Ingle, a member of the Auburn Recreation District's Board of Directors, spoke to the city council about the roundabout, saying that on April 22, 2023, she asked Caltrans where the crosswalks would be, and safe passages for pedestrians and bicyclists to go around the roundabout. "And I still don't see it," Ingle said, noting she visited Caltrans' website for an update. "I don't know if it goes under the train trestle." Ingle said she also reached out to Caltrans and hoped the public information officer and project manager would give an update on the roundabout. Ingle said she talked with Auburn City Manager Sean Rabé about the project. Sean Shaw, the project manager for Caltrans, provided the council with an update. "We are waiting for a utility location permit from Union Pacific Railroad," Shaw told the council. Shaw explained Union Pacific owns the property a "couple of hundred feet" on the sides of the railroad tracks in the roundabout area. He said Caltrans must get permission from the railroad company anytime a project is being done in the area of the railroads. Shaw also stated the permit was submitted in February 2024. "All of the other work that can be done prior to the sewer has been done," Shaw said. Shaw told the council he plans to get renderings of the roundabout for the public. He would provide those renderings to the city of Auburn and could be posted for public viewing. "It's a little bit dissatisfying, I know," Shaw said. "I know that I'm pretty frustrated that it's taken this long. We have to go through several rounds of the revisions and plans with UPR." Mayor Sandy Amara asked Shaw if Caltrans will respond by February. Shaw replied that Caltrans does not guarantee a specific timeline. "They typically say there's a six-week turnaround," Shaw said, also telling the council Union Pacific could fire back with additional questions on the roundabout. "Then we have to address those, or revise the plans," Shaw said. Shaw stated once Union Pacific gives the green light on the permit, it could take Caltrans "about four months to complete the balance of the work." The work could start toward the end of March or early April, depending on weather conditions. Shaw said he has the plans on his laptop and could give them to the council immediately. "Sometimes, they are not clear; they are engineering plans," Shaw said. The plans would include the sidewalks, grass, people walking around and bicycles, plus landscaping around the roundabout. "Something more visually appealing," Shaw said. Council member Alice Dowdin Calvillo asked if there had been "several discussions" with Union Pacific and if the railroad had more questions. "That is the typical process," Shaw responded, telling Dowdin Calvillo that Caltrans has been dealing with a consultant for the railroad. "We kind of go through them to talk to UPR," Shaw said. Council member Rachel Radell-Harris asked Shaw if the crosswalks and sidewalks would be included in the renderings. Shaw replied yes and noted Caltrans has people from Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and street coordinators working with them. Council member Kelley Davis asked Shaw if Caltrans could put up signage, so residents don't have to come to the city regarding the status. "I can definitely ask about that," Shaw said. Council member Mike Holmes noted the Auburn Arts Commission is looking at developing a structure in the middle of the roundabout. Shaw told Holmes he didn't have any knowledge of that, though the city council approved the commission's request for proposals for public artwork for the roundabout during a special meeting Nov. 18, the Auburn Journal reported Nov. 28, 2024. Auburn Public Works Director Mengil Deane said Caltrans has been "extremely responsive throughout this entire process." Deane said the city's last communication with Union Pacific was on Dec. 13, when it sent out the final round of questions regarding the roundabout. "We're confident that what we have given them is beyond what they've asked for, and we expect to get an answer from them very shortly," Deane said.