California Construction News staff writer
The Placer County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved plans and specifications for the long-anticipated Placer Parkway project, a major regional expressway designed to ease congestion and improve connections across western Placer County.
Phase I of the project — managed by the Placer County Department of Public Works — carries an estimated construction cost of $106 million and will soon be advertised for bids. Construction is expected to begin in spring or summer 2026.
“Placer Parkway is a truly transformational project for our region – after years of vision and hard work, it is phenomenal that construction will begin on Phase One,” said Board Chair and District 1 Supervisor Bonnie Gore. “Connecting Highways 65 and 99 will ease traffic and fuel long-term economic growth in west Placer County, especially in the Sunset Area.”
The 15-mile limited-access expressway has been a regional transportation priority for decades. Once complete, it will connect state Route 65 in West Placer to state routes 70/99 in south Sutter County, improving access to Interstate 5, downtown Sacramento and Sacramento International Airport.
The first phase begins at the Whitney Ranch Parkway/SR-65 interchange in Rocklin and extends to North Foothills Boulevard. Key improvements include:
- Upgrading the SR-65 interchange at Whitney Ranch Parkway with new ramps and a six-lane bridge.
- Extending a four-lane roadway from SR-65 to North Foothills Boulevard.
- Adding a grade-separated crossing over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.
In coordination with the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA), Phase I will also include installation of a new water line to serve future development in West Placer. PCWA will reimburse the county for the cost of construction and administration.
The total cost of the Placer Parkway project is estimated at $160 million, including $56 million for project development, environmental review, engineering and management. Funding will come from a mix of sources, including the South Placer Regional Transportation Authority’s Tier 2 development fees, contributions from the United Auburn Indian Community, and PCWA infrastructure funds.
County staff are developing a financing plan to cover upfront expenses until reimbursements are made through future development fees.
Design work, right-of-way acquisition and permitting have all been completed, and environmental reviews are consistent with prior approvals, including the 2015 Mitigated Negative Declaration for Phase I and the 2019 Sunset Area Plan/Placer Ranch Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report.
Construction of Phase I is expected to take several years once a bid is awarded.
