NEWS RELEASE April 2, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dan Regan, 916-874-7056 Communication & Media Officer Hazel Avenue Improvement Project – Phase 1 ~Groundbreaking Event: April 3 @ 2:00 P.M~ Sacramento CA – The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and Department of Transportation (SACDOT) are hosting a groundbreaking event to celebrate construction startup for Phase 1 of the Hazel Avenue Improvement Project. This “Complete Street” project will reduce existing and projected traffic congestion, enhance the appearance of the area, and improve safety and mobility for all modes of transportation in this corridor. Flatiron West Inc., was awarded Phase 1 contract work ($20 million) at the March 24, Board of Supervisors meeting. Information about the groundbreaking event is as follows: Date/Time Friday, April 3 @ 2:00 P.M. Location Nimbus Fish Hatchery – Parking Lot 2001 Nimbus Drive, Gold River, CA 95670 Speakers Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan (District 4) Roger Niello, California State Assemblyman – 5th District Michael Finnegan, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Michael J. Penrose, Director, Department of Transportation According to Supervisor MacGlashan, “Startup for the Hazel Avenue Improvement Project is happening at a great time. This vital north-south corridor is one (MORE) of the most congested roadways in the region and is in great need of improvements. In addition, this $20 million project will create jobs and get money flowing back into the local economy. The Hazel Avenue Corridor provides one of a limited number of American River crossings and is an essential transportation link for businesses, residents and commuters.” Mike Penrose, SACDOT Director added, “This is the start of one of the largest roadway projects ever undertaken by Sacramento County. We have been in the planning and design process for this project since the early 1990’s, and are pleased to be moving forward with this Phase 1 project. Hazel Avenue has a current traffic demand of between 50,000 to 58,000 vehicles per day and was designed to handle just 36,000. When completed, the Hazel Avenue Improvement Project will make traffic flow through the corridor much more efficiently and safely. As a “Compete Street”, all roadway users will benefit from this project: motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit passengers. In addition, the appearance of Hazel Avenue corridor will be enhanced and the corridor will become more attractive for local residents and businesses.” Roadway improvements included in Phase 1 project work include: * Widening Hazel Avenue from four to six lanes over the American River Bridge from U.S. 50 to Curragh Downs Drive. * Construction of new bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This includes bike lanes and a barrier separating bicycle/pedestrian/equestrian modes from vehicle traffic on the bridge over the American River. * California Highway Patrol (CHP) enforcement area. * Improved connections to the American River Parkway. * Architectural treatments on the bridge structure and decorative street lighting. Phase 1 project construction costs are $20 million and will be covered with a combination of: Developer Fees, Measure A Sales Tax funds and State and Federal funding sources. It is anticipated that the Phase 1 project will be completed by (MORE) December 2010. Right-of-way acquisition and final design work are underway for a future project that will widen Hazel Avenue from Curragh Downs Drive to Madison Avenue. Please contact Dan Regan (Communication & Media Officer) at 874-7056 or regand@saccounty.net, for additional information. ### Visuals to Support Story: Elected officials and SACDOT staff will use golden shovels to ceremonially break ground for the project. Hazel Avenue Improvement Project Page 3 Municipal Services Agency Department of Transportation Michael J. Penrose, Director County of Sacramento Terry Schutten, County Executive Paul Hahn, Agency Administrator Design & Planning: 906 G Street, Suite 510, Sacramento, CA 95814 . Phone: 916-874-6291 . Fax: 916-874-7831 Operations & Maintenance: 4100 Traffic Way, Sacramento, CA 95827 . Phone: 916-875-5123 . Fax: 916-875-5363 www.sacdot.com