As spring unfolds across Placer County, it brings a season of progress with key infrastructure projects advancing throughout District 5 and the County. From road safety enhancements to wastewater system upgrades, these efforts are designed to improve public health and safety, support private property investment, and enhance overall quality of life. The improvements align with the Placer County 2050 General Plan, which provides a long-term vision for responsible development, environmental preservation, and sustainable infrastructure investments that will shape the county’s future.

Investing in Infrastructure: Key Projects Underway

North Auburn Wastewater Pipeline Project

Construction is officially underway on the North Auburn Wastewater Pipeline Project, a critical upgrade aimed at increasing capacity and strengthening the wastewater system. Work spans Joeger Road, Richardson Drive, Park Drive, and Quartz Drive, with completion anticipated in late 2025. Initial efforts have focused on identifying underground utilities, with pipeline installation progressing southeast from Park Drive and Quartz Drive toward State Route 49.

Throughout construction, residents can expect temporary traffic shifts, construction noise, and limited street parking. Work is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturday work. For updates, including traffic impacts and project milestones, visit NorthAuburnSewer.org or contact 530-392-8019 / info@NorthAuburnSewer.org.

Highway 49 Gap Closure & Safety Projects

To improve road safety and connectivity, major upgrades are also underway along Highway 49, including:

• Highway 49 Safety Barrier Project: Aimed at reducing cross-centerline collisions, this project includes a 1.3-mile concrete median barrier between Lorenson Road and Lone Star Road, along with two new roundabouts to enhance traffic flow. Additional improvements such as new striping, sidewalks, curb gutters, and updated signage will further enhance safety. Construction is expected to be completed by November 2025.
  
  
• Highway 49 Gap Closure Project: This project will fill in sidewalk gaps along a 4.4-mile stretch between Interstate 80 and Dry Creek Road, ensuring a continuous pedestrian pathway. Additionally, it funds Safe Routes to School programs benefiting six local schools. Construction is set to begin in April 2025 and wrap up by late 2026.

Enhancing Safety Across Placer County

In February 2025, Placer County’s Department of Public Works was awarded over $4.6 million in grant funding from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), the largest HSIP grant the County has ever received—more than twice the average award amount. This funding will support critical safety enhancements that benefit motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians throughout the region.

Projects funded by the grant include:

• High Friction Surface Treatment at 15 locations to help drivers maintain control around sharp curves
• 22 miles of new white edge lines on County roads to enhance lane visibility
• 17.9 miles of new bicycle lanes, improving safety and accessibility for cyclists
• 23.2 miles of enhanced bicycle signage and markings on five roadways
• Enhanced pedestrian crosswalks at nine locations to improve visibility and safety
• 4,300 linear feet of guardrail replacements to reduce collision risks
• Road Safety Sign Audit and Sign Upgrades on 21 roadways to ensure clear and effective signage

Placer County tied with the City of Santa Barbara for the highest number of funded projects statewide in this grant cycle. Over the past decade, the County has secured over $12 million in HSIP funding, which has been instrumental in implementing safety countermeasures to reduce the risk of potential future collisions.

For more information about the County’s transportation safety program, visit: Placer County Transportation Safety.

These investments align with the Placer County 2050 General Plan, which prioritizes infrastructure improvements that promote safety, accessibility, and sustainable growth. As these projects move forward, they represent just a few of the many efforts to create a more connected, resilient, and future-ready Placer County.

In service,
Cindy Gustafson
Placer County Supervisor, District 5 

Meetings/Events:

• 19 Internal Meetings
• 29 External Meetings
• 8 Board Meetings
• 3 MAC Meetings/ Town Halls 
• 5 Events

Casework: Assisted 73 Constituents 

Placer County is planning for the future, looking ahead to 2050. Key issues such as protecting natural resources, providing workforce housing, enhancing wildfire safety, and addressing traffic challenges will shape the region in the coming decades. The General Plan will serve as a roadmap for decisions on these and other important topics over the next 20 years, and community input is essential in this process. To gather feedback, the County is hosting a series of in-person and virtual events, each covering the same topics to accommodate different schedules. This particular event will be held online, offering a convenient way to participate from anywhere. The virtual event is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  REGISTER HERE + LEARN MORE 

Placer County, in partnership with the Placer County Fire Department, has launched the Engage Placer: Fire Hazard Severity Zones webpage, a centralized hub to help residents understand newly updated wildfire hazard maps, compliance requirements and insurance information. The page equips property owners in unincorporated Placer County with FHSZ mandate information, an interactive map viewer and  FAQs to navigate state-mandated fire resilience standards. This initiative follows Governor Gavin Newsom’s February 2025 executive order expediting updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone mapping for local responsibility areas—regions overseen by local fire districts like the Placer County Fire Department. LEARN MORE

Brian Passenheim has been promoted to Placer County’s Chief Probation Officer following the retirement of Marshall Hopper, who served in the role since 2011. Passenheim, who has been with the department since 2004 and served as assistant chief probation officer since 2021, officially stepped into the position on March 8. With a background in law enforcement spanning multiple agencies and a master’s degree in law enforcement leadership, he brings extensive experience to the role. Hopper, recognized for his nearly 28 years of service to Placer County, was honored by the Board of Supervisors for his contributions, including efforts to address homelessness and reduce justice system barriers. Passenheim expressed gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing his commitment to public safety and the positive impact of the Probation Department’s work in the community. LEARN MORE

As Placer County prepares to host another free medication take-back event on April 26, local agencies continue to encourage residents to take advantage of permanent drop boxes and mail-in options that offer a safe, free way to dispose of medication year-round. There are 30 free, permanent drop box sites across Placer County, many located at local pharmacies. Use this searchable database to find a location near you. There are free mail-in options for both medication and sharps/lancets. For either, complete the online form or call (844) 4-TAKE-BACK to request a pre-paid, pre-addressed mail-back package. Instructions are provided with all mail-back services. LEARN MORE

The Superior Court of California, County of Placer is seeking volunteers to serve on the 2025-2026 Placer County Grand Jury. The Court encourages applications from all citizens to enable the grand jury to represent a broad cross-section of the Placer County community. The one-year term for successful applicants begins on July 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2026. The grand jury’s primary function is to examine governments within Placer County, inclusive of the county government, city governments, and special districts, to ensure that public agencies are conducting business in an appropriate and efficient manner. The application Deadline is Friday, May 2, 2025.  VIEW PRESS RELEASE + LEARN MORE