Levee improvements to reduce flood risk coming to the Lower Natomas Basin

Temporary lane closures and road closures on Garden Highway expected winter 2018/2019

Beginning, Monday, Dec. 10, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and its partners, the California Central Valley Flood Protection Board (assisted by the California Department of Water Resources), and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, will be constructing levee improvements in the Lower Natomas Basin.

This work is part of the American Rivers Common Features – Natomas Basin project that was authorized by Congress in 2014.  The project is a continuation of the Natomas Basin Levee Improvements project to reduce the risk of catastrophic flooding in the Natomas Basin. Temporary lane closures and road closures planned for Winter 2018/2019 will be the first in a series of Garden Highway closures and lane restrictions that will occur throughout 2019.

Traffic Impacts Schedule for Winter 2018/2019

Dec. 10, 2018 to March 2019:

The first phase of work includes the relocation of a waterline within the roadway from the intersection of the I-5 southbound ramp to the intersection of Natomas Park Drive.

Dec. 10 to late February:

  • Garden Highway under I-5 will experience temporary lane closures, one lane in each direction, within the segment and shifting traffic to make room for the construction.

Late February to late March:

  • For a period of time to last as long as three weeks, Garden Highway under I-5, between the northbound and southbound ramps will be closed to all through traffic to complete the waterline connection. While the road will experience full closure for a period of time each day, it is not currently planned for a 24-hour closure.
  • During this full closure, both I-5 ramps will remain open, but movements will be restricted away from the I-5 undercrossing. Gateway Oaks Drive, West El Camino Avenue, Natomas Park Drive, and Truxel Road will be the primary detour route. To accommodate the higher volume of traffic on these roads, some additional turn lane capacity and signal timing modifications will be implemented.

A Look Ahead

Traffic Impacts Schedule for Spring/Summer 2019

Residents should be aware that beginning late July 2019, Garden Highway from Natomas Park Drive to Northgate Boulevard will be closed in phases. Sections of Garden Highway, mostly east of Interstate 5, will be closed for up to six months during spring and summer 2019.  More information about specific dates and impacts will be available in the coming months. While this flood risk reduction work will ultimately make Natomas safer, it will also temporarily impact area roadways.

Mid-April to late July:

  • The existing bike trail under I-5 will be realigned during construction of the landside slope improvements. In order to maintain bike connectivity at all times, the outside lane of eastbound Garden Highway may temporarily be designated as the bike route detour, with appropriate protections.

For more information, sign up for e-mail updates by contacting USACE’s Public Affairs Office at spk-pao@usace.army.mil or (916) 557-5100.  You can also get updates by periodically checking the project web page at http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/natomas or by following on social media at http://www.facebook.com/sacramentodistrict and http://www.twitter.com/usacesacramento.

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