The structure will be built at the northern city limits, according to Marisa Brown, city communications officer, responding on behalf of Citrus Heights General Services Director Regina Cave.

According to Brown, the city’s contract for the larger project is with George Reed Construction, Inc (GRI). However; the company subcontracted the building of the archway to R.A. Nemetz Construction Co., Inc., which is included in the city’s original contract scope and price.

The Auburn Boulevard Phase 2 project aims to alter the boulevard’s orientation from a car-centric, fast-moving, four-lane arterial roadway to a pedestrian and bike-oriented corridor with new sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes.

The project cost is estimated at approximately $35 million, the city reported in its Five-Year Capital Improvement Program report.

The “Welcome to Citrus Heights” gateway arch design was completed by the city’s structural engineering design consultant and was finalized in February 2024.  

“The fabrication of the arch itself, as well as the pilasters on either side of the roadway, was included in the original project bid for which the Citrus Heights City Council approved the $28,918.864.50 contract on May 9, 2024,” Brown said.

“The gateway arch pilasters are in active construction,” she added. “The foundation was poured the week of Sept. 22 and it’s anticipated the columns will be poured the week of Oct. 20. Once the columns are in place, field measurements can be obtained and fabrication of the Gateway Arch will begin. The Gateway Arch will take approximately five to six months to fabricate and it’s anticipated it will be placed across the road sometime in late May of 2026.”

After the Gateway Arch is installed, stone veneer on the gateway pilasters will be installed which is one of the final items of work for the Auburn Boulevard Phase 2 project, according to Brown.

Additional traffic signal work and completion of new curb ramps at all intersections still need to be completed before the final resurfacing of the roadway can occur in late summer or early fall 2026, Brown said.

Planned improvements in the second phase of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Street project include undergrounding of overhead utilities, installation of bicycle lanes and wide sidewalks, upgrading traffic signals to meet current standards, increasing safety and visibility through decorative street lighting, beautifying the corridor with new landscaping and trees, replacing old storm drain infrastructure and enhancing transit stops for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, according to the city.

Completion of curb, gutter and sidewalk work on the east side of Auburn Boulevard and the installation of three updated traffic signals at Grand Oaks, Rollingwood and Twin Oaks are yet to be completed, Brown said. 

One additional traffic signal at the entrance to the Citrus Grove Shopping Center will also be installed, according to Brown.

Since construction began at the end of July 2024, at least one lane has remained closed, even outside construction hours.

Detour signs continue to be placed along neighborhood streets near Auburn Boulevard to help drivers circumvent problematic areas and the vehicle gate leading from the neighborhood into and out of Rusch Park has also remained open.

Bright orange signs with directional arrows indicating that businesses are open have been placed at entrance driveways.

The city continues to hold weekly drop-in office hours at Rusch Community Park’s Community Center from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Thursday during the construction project, where construction management team members are on hand.

More information about the Auburn Boulevard Complete Street Project Phase 2 can be found on the city’s website at citrusheights.net/1127/Auburn-Boulevard-Complete-Streets-Phase.