The Sacramento City Council approved a funding plan to replace the century-old I Street Bridge. Construction is expected to start in 2026 and take four years.
Most of the $300 million cost will be federally- and state-funded. Local financing agreements will bridge cash flow gaps.
The new bridge will enhance safety and access for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, linking West Sacramento to downtown.
After more than a decade of discussion, Sacramento, California's I Street Bridge replacement is moving a step closer to construction, the Sacramento Bee reported.
On July 29, 2025, the Sacramento City Council unanimously approved a funding strategy that clears the way for construction to start in April 2026, with construction work expected to last four years.
The City Council reported that the I Street Bridge Replacement Project is a “once-in-a-generation investment” to build a new movable bridge over the Sacramento River. The bridge will link Sacramento and West Sacramento, while supporting housing, jobs, transit access, and regional economic growth.
A conceptual image of the I Street replacement bridge. Architect TYLin was chosen as the Lead Architect for the I Street Bridge Replacement project after winning a design competition. A portion of the new bridge will be mechanically raised to accommodate Sacramento River shipping traffic. Image: City of Sacramento, CA
The new $300 million bridge will be built just north of the 113-year-old iron structure and will serve as a key connection between West Sacramento and the developing Railyards district in downtown. The commercial construction project aims to improve traffic flow and safety for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles.
The current I Street Bridge, which crosses the Sacramento River to Yolo County, was completed in 1912 as a steel-truss, double-deck swing bridge for rail and road traffic. It serves Union Pacific Railroad and Amtrak trains on its lower deck, while the upper deck accommodates autos, bikes, and pedestrians.
The existing I Street Bridge’s lower deck will continue to serve as a railroad crossing, and the new bridge will be built upstream.
The current I Street Bridge, which crosses the Sacramento River to Yolo County, was completed in 1912 as a steel-truss, double-deck swing bridge for rail and road traffic. It will remain in place as a new bridge is built upstream. Image: City of Sacramento, CA
The new I Street Bridge features a modern design that improves mobility, supports future transit, and offers scenic river views while serving as an iconic structure for Sacramento and West Sacramento, according to the City of Sacramento.
TYLin was chosen as the Lead Architect for the I Street Bridge Replacement after winning a design competition. Drawing on its expertise in public engagement and community-focused design, TYLin created a lift-bridge design to ensure safe travel for all users and to meet Coast Guard requirements for river navigation.
Length & Width: 860 feet long and 100 feet wide, with a 300-foot basket-handle tied-arch lift span.
Movable Span: The vertical lift height is 49 feet. The span will be constructed from aluminum to reduce weight and tower size.
Transit-Ready: The deck is designed to support future light rail without impacting bike or pedestrian lanes.
Scenic Features: Shaded observation areas for people extend 12 feet outward for riverfront views.
Tower Design: Two independent towers at each end are positioned for better aesthetics and wider pedestrian walkways.
Rendering of the new I Street Bridge. Its design features include a 300-foot tied-arch lift span, future light rail capacity, riverfront overlooks, and towers. Image: TYLin
Construction plans and bid documents are expected later this summer. The next critical steps include finalizing a High-Cost Bridge Agreement with Caltrans and securing federal authorization for construction funds by November 2025. According to officials, construction bids will be solicited late this year, with contract awards and ground-breaking expected by spring 2026.
The bridge project represents a potential opportunity for general contractors, subcontractors, and construction suppliers in Northern California’s public infrastructure pipeline. Bidding and procurement processes are expected to begin in late 2025, creating possible demand for heavy civil, concrete, steel fabrication, and specialty trade services.
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