Rocklin Road Sierra College Corridor Multimodal Enhancements

The City of Rocklin is studying the feasibility of reconstructing the Interstate 80 and Rocklin Road Interchange between Sierra College and downtown Rocklin to provide a safer connection for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and motorists, and close the gap between communities caused by Interstate 80.

Download the project fact sheet to see how the proposed reconfiguration will create safe connections for pedestrians and bicyclists. 

Click here to view previous stakeholder and community engagement activities. 

A MULTIMODAL LINK

Rocklin Road is a prominent east-west vehicle-heavy roadway that runs perpendicular to Interstate 80 with narrow sidewalks, no shoulders, and no bike lanes. Since the construction of I-80 through Rocklin in 1958, the Sierra College area has been disconnected from downtown Rocklin, as the highway bisects the two communities. Currently, bicyclists and pedestrians must travel through the five-lane undercrossing with limited infrastructure that currently exists at the interchange. Safety concerns paired with the lack of walking and bicycling facilities ultimately discourages alternate modes of travel through the undercrossing, cutting off the Sierra College area from key services and amenities on the west side of the highway.

The City is proposing to reconfigure the interchange into a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) and create a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian crossing of Interstate 80 to encourage better, safer connections between Sierra College and Rocklin’s downtown. This proposed reconfiguration will also better connect residential communities along Rocklin Road and provide better access to local businesses, schools, green spaces, and other destinations.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

The proposed Diverging Diamond Interchange and separated bike and pedestrian crossing will provide many community benefits including:

• Direct walking and biking connections between Sierra College and Rocklin’s downtown commercial core
• Safety improvements for those who walk or bike through the area
• Better facilitation of multimodal transportation including transit, walking, and biking
• Enhanced regional connectivity between the communities on either side of Interstate 80 in Rocklin
• Improved movement of people and goods through the area to support economic opportunity in the growing Placer region
• Relief of vehicular traffic on Rocklin Road to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the area

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS

The project has reached a key milestone. On November 14, 2023, the City of Rocklin Council selected Alternative 1 as the preferred alternative. The project received state environmental approval in November 2023, federal environmental approval in May 2024, and Caltrans approval in May 2024.

Proposed Improvements: Pedestrian and Bicycle Overcrossing

A Diverging Diamond Interchange configuration with pedestrian and bicycle use provided by a dedicated overcrossing north of Rocklin Road.

PROJECT FUNDING

The Rocklin Road Corridor Multimodal Enhancements Project is funded by traffic impact fees collected by the City of Rocklin and South Placer Regional Transportation Authority (SPRTA). The total cost of the proposed improvements is $47 million. While environmental clearances and design costs are funded, the City of Rocklin is seeking state and federal construction funding.

ESTIMATED TIMELINE

The Rocklin Road Corridor Multimodal Enhancements Project is estimated to begin construction in 2026, with the following timeline: 

STAY INFORMED

Sign up for project email updates and notifications of community outreach activities.