PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — Placer County’s proposed half-cent sales tax increase for road and highway improvements, Measure B, had a strong approval vote in early election returns Tuesday night.
In the latest results, roughly 63% (63,482) of citizens support the measure, while 37% (37,758) oppose it. Only voters in the Lincoln, Rocklin and Roseville city limits could vote on this measure and the sales tax will be charged within the cities if the measure passes.
The tax would be in effect for 30 years if passed and raise about $1.58 billion for road and highway improvements. It would raise about $41 million annually, according to Placer County.
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What projects would this tax fund?
Placer County Transportation Agency’s Executive Director Matt Click shared several projects in a presentation to the Placer County Board of Supervisors in which funding from this measure could be used. According to Click, about 52% of the tax would be spent on road programs and major highways, which is about $825 million.
A portion of the sales tax would go toward local road improvements in Lincoln, Rocklin and Roseville including pothole repair and paving among other projects, according to Placer County. A smaller percentage of the funding will go to enhancing local transit systems and bicycle and pedestrian pathways, according to the county.
- The widening of Highway 65 would entail expanding it from three to five lanes in each direction between Galleria Boulevard and Twelve Bridges Road.
- Make operational and safety improvements to the I-80 and Highway 65 Interchange.
- Widen Baseline Road from four to six lanes from Foothills to Highway 99.
- Build the Placer Parkway, a new four-lane expressway from Highway 65 to Highway 99.
Find the whole expenditure plan HERE.
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