NEWS RELEASE			Contact: 	Dan Regan (916-874-7056)										Communication & Media Officer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 				Ron Vicari (916-591-2257)
August 18, 2008 						Project Manager

South Watt Avenue between Folsom Boulevard & Manlove Road   
Major Traffic Restrictions & Closures: August 20 to August 29  
  
     ~Watt Avenue Light Rail Bridge Project Work~
      Sacramento, CA. – The north and south bound lanes of South Watt Avenue between Folsom Boulevard and Manlove Road will have major traffic restrictions and closures for ten days beginning August 20 and ending August 29, due to construction work necessary for the Watt Avenue Light Rail Bridge project.  This includes traffic restrictions on Folsom Boulevard east and west of Watt Avenue.  This work is part of an ongoing Sacramento County Department of Transportation (SACDOT) project -- in partnership with Sacramento Regional Transit -- to build a bridge for light rail trains over Watt Avenue.  Traffic restrictions and closures are scheduled as follows:
* Wednesday Night 8/20 to Friday Morning 8/22 from 7 PM to 5 AM:  Significant traffic controls and restrictions will be in effect.  However, travel in all directions through the project area will be possible. 
* Friday Night 8/22 @ 8 PM to Monday Morning 8/25 @ 5 AM:  The north and south bound lanes of South Watt Avenue from Folsom Boulevard to Manlove Road will be completely closed to all traffic. There will also be traffic restrictions along Folsom Boulevard east and west of Watt Avenue.   
* Monday Night 8/25 to Friday Morning 8/29 from 7 PM to 5 AM:  Significant traffic controls and restrictions will be in effect.   However, travel in all directions through the project area will be possible.
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      The public is advised to avoid this area during construction hours as there will be significant impacts to motorists who use south or north bound lanes of South Watt Avenue and Folsom Boulevard.  Detours will be in place to guide motorists around the construction area.
      During this phase of construction, cranes will be used to lift prefabricated concrete sections of the bridge into place.   It is anticipated that work necessary to complete the bridge will be completed in November and that light rail trains will start using the new bridge shortly thereafter.   Total project completion is scheduled for May 1, 2009.  
      When completed, the light rail bridge project will eliminate delays for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians caused by at-grade light rail crossings and will result in improved traffic flow and safety for all users of this roadway. 
   	If you have any additional questions, please contact Dan Regan at 916-874-7056 or regand@saccounty.net. For information after-hours or over the weekend, call the Watt Avenue Light Rail Bridge Field Office at 916-362-7443. 	
   (PROJECT MAP)
   		
   
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Watt @ Folsom Closure – August 2008
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Municipal Services Agency
Department of Transportation
Michael J. Penrose, Director




County of Sacramento
Terry Schutten, County Executive
Paul Hahn, Agency Administrator


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