Updated 12:35 p.m., March 24–
By Mike Hazlip— With gas prices pushing well-over $5 per gallon, drivers are flocking to big box retailers for a break at the pump — resulting in long lines and traffic jams.
One of those retailers is the Citrus Heights Costco store at 7000 Auburn Blvd., where the site design takes vehicles waiting in line for Costco’s six-lane gas station past the entrance of Applebee’s. During peak times, the line has backed up onto Auburn Boulevard, preventing traffic flow in or out of the Applebee’s parking lot.
One woman emailed The Sentinel on Friday and said Applebee’s customers have been stuck for a half-hour at times. An Applebee’s employee who could not be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the media acknowledged there is a problem with the gas station traffic, but referred any further questions to the restaurant’s corporate office.
A manager at Costco told The Sentinel in a phone call Friday that he had no comment on the matter. A police lieutenant said Sunday that he was not aware of a particular issue involving lines blocking access to Applebee’s, but noted that the area is on private property and said “it would be incumbent on the businesses to determine a remedy to enhance the flow of traffic.”
A Sentinel staff member observed a Costco employee directing traffic at the gas station on Friday afternoon, with cones in place to aid traffic flow. The entrance to Applebee’s was observed to be blocked at times as the signal light on Auburn Boulevard changed to allow left-turning vehicles into the parking lot.
Several left-turning vehicles were seen blocking the intersection after being unable to complete their turn into the lot, and vehicles turning right from Auburn Boulevard were forced to wait until traffic moved forward before entering the parking lot.
Traffic at the shopping center has been a problem in the past as well, resulting in modifications to the center’s traffic loop prior to the completion of a new commercial building at the site. The building is now occupied by Sport Clips, an AT&T store, and the recently opened Crumbl Cookies.
Development of Stock Ranch Plaza began with construction of the Costco building in 2003 and Walmart in 2005. The property has been approved for up to eight more buildings to be constructed at the site, including restaurant and retail use.
Related: Developer gets green light for more restaurants along Auburn Blvd
