Loomis to fix rough stretch of Brace Road

The Loomis Town Council awarded a $660,000 contract March 10 to fix an aging stretch of Brace Road. During a 2020 pavement condition survey, Brace Road between Sierra College Boulevard and Hunter Drive was rated a pavement condition index score of 29. Another stretch of Brace between Hunter Drive and the freeway overpass was rated at 38 PCI, Loomis staff said. The PCI is a 0-100 rate system that shows the overall health of a road, where 100 is brand new pavement and lower scores reflect deterioration and repair needs. Due to the low Brace score, staff applied for a State Transportation Block Grant in 2024 during the Sacramento Area Council of Governments funding round. Loomis Town received $318,000 federal dollars, requiring an 11.5-percent local match. Work on the project is anticipated to begin this month and be completed by mid-June, according to the report. The project would restore about 65,100 square feet of Brace Road by rehabilitating the pavement surface and addressing areas of degradation. The Town Council authorized removal of parking spaces in 2024 on the south side of Brace from Starlight Lane to Stone Road. The removal provides the width for dedicated bike lanes under the 2040 Loomis General Plan. Low bidder Central Valley Engineering & Asphalt of Roseville has more than 26 years of experience performing similar work, staff said. The Town Council approved the construction contract March 10 with Central Valley for $660,357. Along with a 15-percent contingency and $75,000 in inspection and support costs, the overall project budget is $835,000, staff said. The council also agreed Tuesday to appropriate $132,000 toward Brace from the general fund. While STBG funding significantly offsets local costs, it also requires costly additional oversight, documentation and federal compliance work through Caltrans, staff explained.