Watt/I-80 station
| Company type | Light rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Headquarters | North Highlands , United States |
Area served | Sacramento Regional Transit District service area |
| Products | Light rail and bus services |
| Parent | Sacramento Regional Transit District |
Watt/I-80 station is an underground light rail stop situated on the Blue Line of the SacRT light rail network, managed by the Sacramento Regional Transit District. Positioned in the median of Interstate 80 at Watt Avenue in North Highlands, California, it originally served as the northern endpoint for the RT Light Rail system and continues to function as the Blue Line’s northern terminus.
This station has encountered challenges including malfunctioning elevators, inadequate signage, cleanliness issues, and safety concerns. A study recommended decommissioning the elevator on the east side, installing new stairs and elevators on the west side, and redirecting numerous bus connections to Roseville Road station. Transit advocates have opposed recent suggestions to close both Watt/I-80 and Watt/I-80 West stations.
Facilities at the station encompass a bus transfer area and a 243-space park and ride lot, which was converted from an incomplete freeway project that was abandoned. Despite this, the parking facility is significantly underused, with an average of only six vehicles per day. Contributing factors include the considerable distance between the lot and station, safety concerns, and the more convenient design for vehicle arrivals at Roseville Road station.
Platforms and tracks
Equipped with a park-and-ride lot and a prominent bus transfer hub, this station ranks among the busiest intersections for bus and light rail services within the Sacramento Regional Transit District. It stands out as the only two-level light rail station in the system: light rail trains, peak-hour commuter buses, and a Placer County Transit route to Auburn operate on the lower level nestled within the I-80 median, while regular daily bus routes run along the Watt Avenue overpass on the upper level.