SACRAMENTO/WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The City of Sacramento is moving one step closer to breaking ground on the long-anticipated I Street Bridge Replacement Project, a transformative effort that will replace the existing 113-year-old bridge with a new multimodal crossing linking Sacramento and West Sacramento.

Sacramento city staff presented an update on the project’s funding and financing strategy at the July 29 Sacramento City Council meeting. 

The update outlined major progress toward construction in 2026, thanks to recent commitments of state and federal funding and ongoing efforts to finalize interagency financing agreements.

The project has benefited from strong and sustained leadership at the local, state and federal levels. U.S. Congresswoman Doris Matsui has championed the project from the beginning, even proposing the architectural design competition that helped shape the bridge’s final look. 

State Senators Angelique Ashby and Christopher Cabaldon have also played key roles, advocating for funding and interagency collaboration.

“This is not just a bridge; it’s a once-in-a-generation investment in connectivity, safety and opportunity for both cities,” said Assistant City Manager Ryan Moore. “We’re deeply grateful to all of our local, regional, state and federal partners who continue to work alongside us to bring this vision to life.”

The replacement bridge will feature 12-foot shared-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists, wider travel lanes to accommodate buses and emergency vehicles, and improved connectivity to trails and regional destinations.

The existing I Street Bridge, built in 1911, will remain in place but be converted into a bicycle and pedestrian-only crossing on its upper deck.

Construction of the new bridge is estimated to cost $300 million. Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) has committed $250 million in federal Highway Bridge Program funds toward construction and the California Transportation Commission awarded an additional $25 million in competitive state funding earlier this summer.

The City of Sacramento is continuing to work with its partners to finalize key financing arrangements that will support the project’s construction phase. 

Key next steps include presenting the financing strategy to the Sacramento Transportation Authority this month and submitting a final finance plan to Caltrans.

The City of Sacramento is also working with the City of West Sacramento to finalize cost-sharing agreements, with each city expected to contribute between $13 million and $32 million, depending on the final financing structure.

These agreements will require further Sacramento City Council review and approval, expected in September.

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026 and take approximately four years to complete.