ACTION INVESTIGATORY MEETING ON ROCKLIN ROAD / I-80 INTERCHANGE

CONFERENCE OF STAKEHOLDERS OVER THE ROCKLIN ROAD/I-80 INTERCHANGE

City of Rocklin held their second stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Attendees on the project team are listed below:

 

A number of representatives from the following businesses attended the meeting as well:

 

McDonald with the Quick Quack Car Wash behind the Arco Gas Station / Vacant Land

An interview with Ranvir Saini from 76 Gas Station

Gurmeet Grewal with Arbys

Arco Gas Station with Sonia Johl AM / PM

Key stakeholders were invited to participate in the stakeholder meeting in order to receive updated information about the project and discuss any potential concerns or opportunities for improvement.

 

About the Project

In the area of Rocklin Road / Interstate-80 Interchange, the City of Rocklin is improving circulation and operations over the long term. The improvements will address existing traffic congestion and improve walking and biking connections between downtown Rocklin and Sierra Community College.

 

Afterwards, Luke McNeel-Caird, Senior Project Manager at Jacobs, presented on the project including the project goals and refined project alternatives. Dave Stanek with Fehr & Peers then presented a traffic simulation video of Rocklin Road's existing conditions after going over the Transportation Study Area. The road design was presented by Mike Robinson of Jacobs, who elaborated on the geometric approval drawings. Ashely Kellogg with Jacobs reviewed the work that the project team had done on the Environmental Document, presented the Environmental Technical studies, and reviewed the Project Schedule.

 

This is a frame from a video showing a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) model

 

A DETAILS OF THE EXISTING STREETLIGHTS ON ROCKLIN ROAD AND SIERRA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

According to McNeel-Caird, existing streetlight data was gathered to see where Rocklin residents were driving. McNeel-Caird suggested that those who take less than a mile to travel might be persuaded to bike or walk instead. The data was presented by Johl, who asked, Are there any numbers that represent travelers who are just in and out, stopping for gas or food? McNeel-Caird responded, We need to analyze the data better to find out who is not a local and who is driving a mile from home. Our community meeting in April will be better informed once we drill down into those numbers more.

 

 In the following section, specific information about Sierra Community College was presented. In addition, Dr. Johl points out that Sierra Community College is a commuter college, and these numbers should be viewed accordingly. Then McNeel-Caird explained that over 18000 trips are made to campus each year, and more than 500 of those trips originate from less than half a mile away. Therefore, even if everyone travels less than a mile, having the option to walk or bike to campus would still benefit them. There was no more question after that, and the presentation continued.

 

 

Alternative 1: DIFFERENT DIAMOND INTERCHANGE (DDI) WITH INFIELD OVERCROSSINGS FOR PED/BIKES

Alternative 1 was presented to the attendees along with a design for the Pedestrian / Bike Overcrossing. Among Johl's concerns was how the overcrossing would negatively affect her business. Sierra Community College students should still be able to walk to her store, she told us. They assured her that they wouldn't remove the sidewalk leading to her store.

 

A Divergent Diamond Interchange with Infield Pedal / Bicycle Overcrossing is shown in the diagram

 

Option two: DDI with adjacent bike or pedal undercrossing

As the presentation progressed, Gurmeet Grewal's concerns were addressed, specifically why could the sidewalks not be on both sides of the interchange? Perhaps the overcrossing can be moved to the opposite side.

 

We have more traffic going westbound on I-80 to Roseville and Sacramento, McNeel-Caird said. A northside sidewalk will reduce the amount of traffic on Rocklin Road and also likely reduce bike / pedestrian conflicts. In comparison to Alternative 1, Alternative 2 has a more direct path for bicyclists and pedestrians to share the road.

 

The team confirmed that Alternative 2 would retain a left turn lane that can access Johl's business.

 

Questions and Answers

There was a chance for any lingering questions to be asked following the presentation. During the meeting, Roger McDonald shared that he wanted Sierra College Boulevard's Costco opening to be considered in the traffic study since it is predicted to change traffic coming from the opposite direction. Additionally, he wanted to mention that many businesses along Sierra College Boulevard are moving towards Sierra Community College with the idea that people bypass Rocklin Road, go down Sierra College Boulevard, then loop around and come in that way.

 

Caltrans Project Manager Chris Ladeas emphasizes optimism for the project and their hopes for a successful completion.

 

As Mc Neel-Caird asked the attendees if they had a preferred design for the overcrossing, the attendees replied with their preferences. McDonald liked the second design, Saini said he needed more time to think about it, and Johl did not respond.

 

Next Steps

As the meeting came to a close, the project team explained that any questions or concerns should be directed to them. The project's next steps were discussed:

 

Meetings with stakeholders on site in March 2022

Community Meeting #2 April 2022

Public Input Survey May 2022

Stakeholder Meeting #3 Summer 2022

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Address: 2237 Apple Grey Ct, Rocklin, CA 95765
Phone: (916) 796-1220

Website: https://www.socialcali.com/rocklin-digital-marketing-agency