A STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY MEETING FOR THE ROCKLIN ROAD / I-80 INTERCHANGE

MEETING OF THE ROCKLIN ROAD/I-80 INTERCHANGE STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY BOARD

During a second stakeholder meeting for the Rocklin Road / I-80 Interchange Improvement Project held on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022, the City of Rocklin invited community members to attend. Here is a list of attendees from the project team:

 

A number of business representatives attended as well:

 

Roger McDonald with Quick Quack Car Wash behind Arco Gas Station

The 76 Gas Station is owned by Ranvir Saini

Gurmeet Grewal with Arbys

With AM/PM/Arco Gas Station, Sonia Johl

It was the objective of the stakeholder meeting to provide updated project information and discuss any concerns or opportunities for project improvements.

 

About the Project

Rocklin is making long-term improvements to Rocklin Road / Interstate-80 Interchange operational and circulation. The improvements will address existing traffic congestion and improve walking and biking connections between downtown Rocklin and Sierra Community College.

 

The presentation began with Luke McNeel-Caird, Senior Project Manager with Jacobs, reviewing the project goals, getting refined project alternatives, and discussing schedules. Following that, Dave Stanek came from Fehr & Peers to review the Transportation Study Area and further discuss traffic modeling by presenting a traffic simulation video based on Rocklin Road's existing conditions. As a follow-up, Mike Robinson with Jacobs presented the preliminary roadway design, detailing the geometric approval drawings in detail. She also provided an overview of the Environmental Technical studies and reviewed the project schedule. Ashely Kellogg of Jacobs reviewed the work that the project team has done on the Environmental Document.

 

In the video, a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) model is shown.

 

STREETLIGHT DATA AT ROCKLIN ROAD AND SIERRA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

In an explanation to the attendees, McNeel-Caird explained that existing streetlight data had been collected to determine where people were driving in Rocklin. McNeel-Caird proposed that these people could be persuaded to bike or walk as an alternative to driving by analyzing the data showing that more than 5000 trips are less than a mile each day. The data was presented to Johl. He asked, Are there any numbers that represent travelers who just enter and exit and stop for gas or food on their way out?. The grand total in the data includes those people, but we need to dissect it more to identify those who are not locals and who are driving a mile to get to work. When we have the community meeting in April, we will have better information based on those numbers.

 

A presentation highlighting Sierra Community College followed. With these numbers, we should take into account Sierra Community College's commuter status. McNeel-Caird explained that 18000 trips are made to college campuses each year, with about 500 of those trips coming from less than a mile away. Walking or biking to campus would benefit those who travel less than a mile, even if it is only 100 or 200 people. The presentation continued after that without further questions.

 

 

The DIVERGENT DIAMOND INTERCHANGE (DDI) WITH INFIELD BIKE / PED OVERCROSSING IS AN OTHER ALTERNATIVE TO THE DDI.

Alternative 1 was presented to the attendees along with a design for the Pedestrian / Bike Overcrossing. As a result of the overcrossing, Johl expressed concerns and questions about Alternative 1. It would be beneficial to Sierra Community College students if they could still walk to her store. A member of the team reassured her that the sidewalk in front of her store would not be taken away.

 

Here is a diagram of a Divergent Diamond Interchange with an infield ped/bike overcrossing (DDI)

 

The second alternative is to do a DDI with a bike undercrossing alongside the pedal undercrossing.

After the presentation, Gurmeet Grewal's question about why sidewalks cannot be on both sides of the interchange was addressed by Alternative 2. It might be possible to move the overcrossing to the other side.

 

Connor McNeel-Caird responded that I-80 is busier westbound to Roseville and Sacramento. The sidewalk was moved to the northside of Rocklin Road in order to reduce traffic and conflicts between bikes and pedestrians. Comparing Alternative 1 and Alternative 2, Alternative 2 is a more direct path for cyclists and pedestrians.

 

The team confirmed that there will still be a left turn lane for Johl's business in Alternative 2.

 

Questions and Answers

Following the presentation, there was time for any remaining questions. McDonald mentioned that the opening of Costco on Sierra College Boulevard was something he believed would affect traffic loads from the opposite direction, so he wanted to make sure that was taken into account with the traffic study. Aside from that, he wanted to mention that the businesses along Sierra College are moving down towards Sierra Community College, looking to bypass Rocklin Road, take Sierra College Boulevard, loop around and enter through there.

 

The Caltrans Project Manager Chris Ladeas expressed optimism for the project and expressed hope for a successful outcome.

 

The attendees were asked if they had any preferences for overcrossing designs by Mc Neel-Caird. In response to McDonald's response, Saini stated that he needed more time to review them, while Johl declined to comment.

 

Next Steps

After the meeting concluded, the project team explained that anyone who had questions or concerns should reach out to them. Following were the next steps for the project:

 

In March 2022, stakeholders will meet one-on-one on site

Community Meeting #2 April 2022

Public Input Survey May 2022

Stakeholder Meeting #3 Summer 2022

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