I STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT project

Figure 1 - Existing I Street Bridge

FiNal bridge design selection

Project Description

The cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento together have recognized the need for more river crossings. In 2011, the cities completed the Sacramento River Crossings Alternatives Study which identified the purpose and need for new bridge crossings. The study concluded that a North Market crossing was needed to replace the I Street Bridge.

The existing I Street Bridge is more than 100-years old; the lanes are too narrow to serve buses, there are no bicycle lanes, and the sidewalks are too narrow to meet current accessibility standards.

The I Street Bridge Replacement Project will include the construction of a new bridge upstream of the existing I Street Bridge. The bridge will provide a new connection across the Sacramento River between the Sacramento Railyards and the West Sacramento Washington Neighborhood planned developments. It will serve automobile, bicycle, transit, and pedestrian users. The existing I Street Bridge’s lower deck will continue to serve as a railroad crossing, and the upper deck is currently being studied and planned for use by pedestrians and bicyclists. The approach viaducts to the existing I Street Bridge will be demolished, resulting in better access to the waterfront in both cities.



Figure 2 - Project Area Map

Benefits

The project will improve mobility for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, and promote economic development by creating new access to the planned Railyards on the Sacramento side as well as better access to West Sacramento and the Sacramento River waterfront.

Costs and Funding

The cities of West Sacramento and Sacramento have agreed to share the local expenses associated with constructing and delivering the project. This includes federal matching requirements and other non-federally eligible expenses.

Total project construction and delivery costs for the new bridge are estimated at $188–210M. The cities have identified approximately $158M in state and local funding, and are continuing to seek additional funding sources.

Schedule





bridge architect Design Competition

In 2018, the cities developed and implemented a design competition to engage a bridge architect to join their team for the design of the new bridge.

Learn about the design competition and bridge architect selection process here.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The I Street Bridge Replacement project includes a community engagement program to inform and involve the community throughout the process. [Sign up to receive email updates]

Phase 3: Community Workshop & Virtual Community Workshop - October / March 2019

A virtual community workshop was open to the public from October 23 - November 6. Community members learned about the final design concepts through a short informational video and provided their input.

The project team also presented final bridge design concepts at a community workshop on Thursday, October 17 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. on the Old Sacramento Waterfront Boardwalk. Community members provided their input about key design elements, landscaping, and roadway approach designs through interactive board displays, one-on-one discussions with project team members, and comment cards.

Phase 2: Community Workshop - July 2019

Based upon feedback received from the ad hoc design advisory group, selection committee, and the public, the project team narrowed nine early design concepts to four and refined these remaining concepts.

A second community workshop took place on Wednesday, July 10th, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Riverwalk Park in West Sacramento. Lead architect, Noel Shamble, presented an overview of the revised design concepts. After the concept overview, attendees visited information stations to review the summary of findings derived from the previous stakeholder and public engagement as well as the four updated bridge design concepts; the public also were asked to provide input on key design elements. Participants were provided opportunities to contribute their ideas through interactive board displays, one-on-one discussions with project team members, and a workshop guide that served as a feedback form.

Phase 1: Community Workshop & Virtual Community Workshop - March / April 2019

On March 28, the cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento held the first community workshop to discuss bridge design options for the I Street Bridge Replacement Project. This in-person workshop featured a short presentation by the lead architect and information stations with early possible concepts, ideas for bridge amenities, and other important considerations. Following the community workshop, more than 1,300 community members provided their input through a virtual community workshop from April 4 through 19. The virtual workshop featured the same questions asked at the in-person community workshop.



The city of West Sacramento is leading an effort to evaluate the feasibility of converting the upper deck of the existing bridge. Once the new bridge is built this project proposes to repurpose the upper deck for active transportation modes.

ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS

The project team completed a draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (Draft EIR/EA) for the I Street Bridge Replacement project. The Draft EIR/EA was released on September 28 and was available for public comment through November 12 at 4 p.m.

previous outreach

Community Meeting - October 2017

The cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento and the project team held a community meeting on Thursday, October 26, 2017 to provide a progress update about the I Street Bridge Replacement Project. The project team had completed a draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (Draft EIR/EA) for the I Street Bridge Replacement project, which was available for public viewing at the time of this meeting. Staffed information stations with maps and other project materials were available from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Community members were provided with an opportunity to provide input on the project and review the EIR/EA with the project team members.

Environmental Scoping Meeting - October 2014

The cities and the project team hosted an Environmental Scoping Meeting on October 9, 2014. The purpose was to provide a project update and to collect feedback from interested parties to help inform the environmental studies. The meeting provided project background, schedule, a summary of feedback from previous meetings and a review of environmental considerations. Immediately following the meeting, the project team took public members on a walking tour to show the proposed bridge crossing location and other site considerations.

Approximately 46 community members attended the scoping meeting and walking tour, and 10 community members submitted feedback regarding the bridge design, access, construction, and environmental concerns.

Community Open House - June 2014

The cities and the project team hosted a community open house meeting in June 2014. The purpose was to share information and receive input from the public about the project. The open house provided the project background and schedule and current phase of work as well as an opportunity for the community to provide feedback on specific bridge elements that should be considered when the project moves into the design phase, and to view other planning efforts within the project area.

Approximately 20 community members submitted feedback via comment cards about bridge design and aesthetics, access, and environmental issues. Overwhelmingly, community members expressed a desire to create a bridge that is bike and pedestrian friendly to encourage safe and direct travel between Sacramento and West Sacramento. In addition, community members encouraged the cities to expedite the project.

Contact

Jesse Gothan, Project Manager

Office: 916-808-6897

Email: jgothan@cityofsacramento.org