Caltrans: utility permit from Union Pacific still pending for Borland–Highway 49 roundabout; rendering, pedestrian details promised

Caltrans project staff told the Auburn City Council that work on the Borland–Highway 49 roundabout cannot proceed until Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) issues a utility-relocation permit covering the railroad right-of-way that runs through the project area.

“We submitted that permit request to UPRR in February 2024,” Caltrans Project Manager Sean Chai said. “Once we receive that permit, it’ll probably take us about four months to complete the balance of the work and then get everything buttoned up.”

Why it matters: the roundabout is intended to change traffic patterns at Borland and Highway 49 and citizens pressed Caltrans and city staff for details on where sidewalks, crosswalks and bicycle access will be located and how traffic will move at nearby intersections. Caltrans said it will supply plans and, if available, a rendering that shows sidewalks, landscaping and pedestrian facilities.

Caltrans explained the delay is procedural: the railroad owns a strip of property where the new geometry and a sewer relocation will occur, so the agency must secure UPRR’s permission before completing the remaining on‑site work. Chai said UPRR typically provides a six‑week turnaround after a submission; because the city and Caltrans submitted in February 2024, Caltrans representatives said they are “almost at a year” waiting for final railroad approval and that additional rounds of questions and plan revisions are common.

City Public Works Director Manjal Dean told council members that city staff met with Caltrans and have been timely in responding to UPRR requests. “We were timely in getting their responses out to them,” Dean said, noting the city’s last communication to UPRR was Dec. 13. Dean said staff expect the project to be completed during the coming construction season once the permit is issued.

Residents at the meeting raised local concerns beyond the permit timeline. Architect and Del Monte Way resident Cody Carpino said he worried the new roundabout could push through‑traffic toward Elm Street and create backups at the Elm/Highway 49 intersection; he urged Caltrans to consider signal timing or a dedicated right‑turn arrow at Elm. “My feeling is we need a right hand right hand green turn arrow at Elm and 49,” Carpino said.

Nearby residents also asked Caltrans to patch temporary potholes and improve the temporary pavement condition while the project waits on railroad approval. Jennifer Costa, speaking as a private citizen, asked Caltrans to perform temporary paving where needed because existing cones have shifted and created hazards for motorists. Brett Castle said the current ledge and potholes posed a liability to motorcyclists and bicyclists.

Caltrans committed to posting clearer project information online and to providing a plan or rendering to the city for public posting. Chai also said Caltrans has ADA and complete‑streets staff who review pedestrian and bicycle accommodations for projects, and he expects those features to be shown on the materials the agency will post.

Caltrans and city staff discussed landscaping and artwork for the roundabout’s center island. The council’s arts commission told staff it is exploring an art installation; Caltrans said the landscaped plan is the agency’s usual approach but invited the arts commission to coordinate with Caltrans landscape staff.

What remains: Caltrans said it will provide plans/renderings to the city so residents can see the location of sidewalks and crosswalks. The schedule depends on UPRR’s permit action; if UPRR adheres to a six‑week review standard, Caltrans said it might receive a response within weeks but emphasized there is no guarantee and additional plan revisions could extend the timeline.

The city said staff will continue to coordinate with Caltrans and asked the traffic committee to track post‑construction performance, including measurements after the roundabout is in place and adjustments if the intersection at Elm and Highway 49 backs up.

Council and staff said they will forward residents’ requests about paving patchwork and request that Caltrans post a simple status sign or webpage with periodic updates so the public has a single reference for the project’s status.