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The I Street Bridge Replacement Project has been more than a decade in the making, and leaders are celebrating the move forward with a recent award of $25 million from the California Transportation Commission. The new bridge and updates to the existing one will improve connectivity between the cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento and stand as an iconic symbol to future visitors and residents of the region.

Built in 1911, the I Street Bridge was designed for trains traveling into the Sacramento Railyards but has become outdated. Now, the 114-year-old two-lane river crossing is too narrow to fit many modern cars, with little to no room for pedestrians or cyclists.

Lucinda Willcox, assistant director for the City of Sacramento’s Department of Public Works, shared that the city coordinates a lot across the river with the City of West Sacramento on waterfront issues. “We share the riverfront and a lot of access in the core. We like to work with them to make sure we’re in alignment and strategies work together,” said Willcox.

The new bridge will provide access and support for new infill development on both sides of the river. Providing connections to destinations like the Sacramento River Trail, the new Kaiser hospital, the Sacramento Valley Station, and planned entertainment and sports venues in the Sacramento Railyards, the new bridge will include buffered bike lanes, 12-foot shared-use sidewalks in each direction, and multi-use paths.

Even more bike and pedestrian connections are planned with the existing I Street Bridge. West Sacramento is taking the lead to convert the upper deck, while the lower deck will continue serving as a train crossing.

“It hasn’t been easy, piecing together a project of this scale,” said Aaron Laurel, city manager for the City of West Sacramento. “This is one of the best examples of shared vision and benefits of projects that are just as strong on both sides of the river,” added Laurel.

The $25 million award from the California Transportation Commission helps the cities meet a critical funding gap that will make this new crossing over the Sacramento River a reality. It has taken advocacy and support from state, federal, and local leadership to make this project happen.

Congresswoman Doris Matsui has been a huge champion of this project since day one, according to Willcox. The congresswoman came up with the idea of an architectural contest the City of Sacramento held to find the final design. Policy leaders include state Senators Angelique Ashby and Christopher Cabaldon, who have been key in advocating for funding and collaboration on this project. Both SACOG and the Sacramento Transportation Authority have adopted the project as a regional and countywide priority and provided funding and support.

The I Street Bridge Replacement Project and the conversion of the existing I Street Bridge as a pedestrian and bikeway are significant pieces of infrastructure for generations to come. Willcox added, “Sometimes we have been working on it for so long that we take it for granted. Really, it is going to be a legacy of this generation of what we’re leaving. We forget about how exciting this is going to be when it’s completed.”