BRENTWOOD — The long-awaited Sand Creek Road extension, which connects neighboring cities and aims to reduce traffic, is now open to the public.
The extension expands Sand Creek Road westward from Highway 4 to Heidorn Ranch Road. Officials say it will alleviate traffic congestion in areas such as Lone Tree Way, Balfour Road, and Deer Valley Road.
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The $13-million project included $4.1 million in funding that was provided by the East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Finance Authority. The extension provides access to Brentwood’s upcoming Innovation Center development, Kaiser Permanente in Antioch, and Costco on Heidorn Ranch Road near Lone Tree Plaza Drive.
Mayor Susannah Meyer noted the importance of the alternate route to the hospital.
“We don’t have a hospital in town, but now we’ve got a much closer access to Kaiser,” said Meyer during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in late January. “That’s going to be very helpful.”
Meyer said there is no timeline for the completion of the last segment to connect with Deer Valley Road, but it will be a top priority once it is approved by Antioch. Residents will still be able to get to Kaiser.
Work to extend to Deer Valley Road began in 2023. It was initially slated to start in March 2023 but had to be delayed for months due to wet weather and the discovery of a golden eagle that laid an egg in a nest in a nearby eucalyptus tree. Eagles are protected by federal, state, and regional laws and policies.
Once the link between the two roads is completed, there will be an additional travel lane in each direction, sidewalks on both sides, and traffic signals.
Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal, who was at the January ceremony, said the project to connect the neighboring cities’ roadways had been “30 years in the making.”
“One of the things we’re working on in Antioch is building community, and this is part of it. We want to be a good neighbor with Brentwood and our neighboring communities,” said Bernal.
He added Richland Communities, which has proposed building homes near Deer Valley Road, will start construction soon.
“I’m told that their subdivision is going to build that final link between Sand Creek Road, where it terminates right now, and Deer Valley Road,” said Bernal. “So we are excited about seeing that happen. We will keep residents updated on that.”
Brentwood City Manager Tim Ogden said there is a long-term vision behind the extension, adding it is more than just a road.
“It’s a vital connection that will pave the way for economic growth and innovation in Brentwood. Extending Sand Creek Road from Highway 4 to Heidorn Ranch Road has been a strategic effort to alleviate traffic on Lone Tree Way and support new opportunities within the Innovation Center,” Ogden stated in a press release. “Costco’s arrival marks just the beginning of exciting opportunities for our community.”
