West Sacramento Residents Bracing For Golden 1 Center Traffic Problems

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Getting to the arena could be a big problem for many. There's now less than a month before the first event takes place.

Just across the river from the new arena in West Sacramento, they still don't know how they're going to pay for the extra police needed just to direct traffic.

The lack of parking – and the traffic tie-ups – could spoil the opening of the new downtown arena.

West Sacramento residents are already bracing for traffic jams. Police say there could be major traffic congestion in their Waterfront district – and it will be even worse when events happen at Raley Field and the arena at the same time.

The Sacramento Kings have agreed to pay for Sacramento police, but so far the team has refused to pay West Sacramento for their extra expenses.

There's also no arena money going towards Yolobus express shuttles that will take fans in West Sacramento to the arena – free of charge.

Yolobus had requested the Kings kick in a $2,000 per game reimbursement.

Instead, federal and local taxpayers will pay $430,000 each year to transport Kings fans from West Sacramento to the downtown arena.

Further, fans looking for a parking space will not be allowed to park in the waterfront lots near Raley Field for non-West Sacramento events because the city code prohibits it.

Sacramento city leaders have not yet announced their traffic plan. Officials have only said they will shut down some streets during arena events. They have not said which streets will be closed.