Placer County approves $61.6 million contract to build Placer Parkway Phase 1 after decades of planning
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Summary
After more than two decades of planning, the Placer County Board of Supervisors voted April 7 to award a $61,648,965 construction contract for Placer Parkway Phase 1 and to approve a construction‑management agreement and contingency funding. Staff said the project will relieve regional congestion and includes a major waterline collaboration with PCWA.
Placer County on Tuesday voted to award a $61,648,965 construction contract for the long‑planned Placer Parkway Phase 1 and approved a separate professional services agreement for construction management, moving the project from design into active delivery.
Public Works Director Derek Gady told the board the phase marks the culmination of “over 25 years of hard work and regional coordination” and outlined a roughly 1.5‑mile initial alignment that includes a new bridge over railroad tracks, elevated roadway sections, and space to convey a major Placer County Water Agency water main across State Route 65.
Gady said the county received six competitive bids and recommended the low responsive bidder, Teichert & Son, Inc. of Roseville. Engineering manager Kevin Ordway described major technical elements: a 300‑foot bridge over the Union Pacific tracks, relocation coordination with PG&E for high‑voltage lines, more than 400,000 cubic yards of imported fill, and a four‑lane roadway designed to be ultimately grade separated at intersections. “We build bridges to last 100 years,” Ordway said.
The board authorized the director of public works to execute the construction contract and approved change orders not to exceed $210,000 under public contract code limits; staff said the contract includes an owner‑controlled contingency of $2,000,000 to reduce the need for frequent board returns.
To bridge funding gaps for the first phase, staff described a package of SPARTA Tier 2 development fees, contributions from the United Auburn Indian Community, Placer County Water Agency infrastructure funds, and county advanced matching general funds that are reimbursable from future development fees. Staff listed the funding pieces on the record as: $9,595,600 from SPARTA Tier 2 fees; $8,409,500 in remaining fair‑share contributions from the United Auburn Indian Community; a $9,000,000 non‑reimbursable UAIC contribution; up to $7,750,000 from PCWA for water infrastructure; and $30,745,250 in county advance matching general funds.
Jeff Apps, the county project manager who has overseen Placer Parkway through final design, told supervisors the county had worked closely with multiple regulatory agencies, Caltrans, Union Pacific and the California Public Utilities Commission during permitting and right‑of‑way acquisition. He also described how staff engaged general contractors early to broaden the pool of bidders and benefit from strong market timing.
Supervisors thanked staff and emphasized close monitoring of construction budgets and change orders. Supervisor Dimitay said the $210,000 threshold and the $2 million contingency give the department flexibility but urged the board be apprised of change‑order detail. Supervisor Gustafson and others praised the decades‑long effort and said the project will deliver long‑term regional benefits.
A separate board action approved a professional services agreement for construction management (inspection, materials testing and scheduling coordination) with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $9,875,739 plus authorized amendments, also approved by voice vote.
The board approved the construction contract award and the construction‑management agreement by voice vote with no recorded opposition. County staff estimate construction will begin soon and extend through roughly two construction seasons.
