New Bridge Connecting Sacramento Neighborhoods
Earlier this month, at a news conference, U.S. Congresswoman Doris Matsui presented a model for Sacramento’s s first new bridge in over 50 years. The structure will connect the neighboring cities of West Sacramento and Sacramento. Matsui described it as modern and iconic with clean lines. The unveiling followed an extensive design process that took place throughout 2019 and which included significant public input.
The projected cost of the new bridge is $210 million. Nearly 90% of the monies will come from federal sources, including funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation and its “gas tax” bill, Senate Bill 1, which was enacted in 2017. The architect firm awarded the bridge project is T.Y. Lin International Group, out of San Francisco. The lead architect, Noel Shamble, says the bridge will be the first in the world of its kind, which he described as a combined lift and arch bridge. The lift will allow watercraft to pass under, as the Tower Bridge does now.
The new bridge will connect the up-and-coming Railyards District in Sacramento to C Street, in the Washington neighborhood of West Sacramento. Design and engineering will continue throughout the rest of the year. Construction is not set to begin until at least 2021, and the current estimated completion date will be in 2025.
Walk, Bike, and Enjoy the View
To encourage its use by foot and bicycle traffic, the bridge will include pedestrian walkways and protected bike lanes in addition to three lanes for vehicle traffic or mass transit rail. The new structure will also include bold lighting and open spaces with seating, encouraging visitors to linger by the river.
Once the new bridge is completed, the top of the old I Street Bridge can be converted into a pedestrian passage, with the lower deck still being used for trains.
The Sacramento area draws somewhere around 15 million visitors per year, and the new bridge and surrounding areas have the potential to be an iconic feature of our city.
Watch the YouTube Video: New I Street Bridge Design Unveiled. In this video, the final design for the new I Street Bridge is unveiled.
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