City unveils striking modern design for new I Street bridge
The new I Street bridge across the Sacramento River will feature benches for pedestrians to relax, a glass floor so they can see the water below and a graceful arch that will lift to allow boats to pass underneath.
Desgned by T.Y. Lin International Group, the $200-million bridge will be the first span erected across the Sacramento River since 1966, when the Pioneer Bridge began carrying cars across the river to Interstate 80. The primary architect is Noel Shamble of T.Y. Lin. The final design was unveiled Friday.
By the time the bridge is finished in 2023, the surrounding landscape will be strikingly different, with a new Major League Soccer stadium in The Railyards, new entertainment venues and green spaces along the Old Sacramento Waterfront. The Powerhouse Science Center will be operating just up the river. Kaiser is also planning to build a new hospital in The Railyards.
“This new $200-million bridge will be an instant modern landmark linking the exciting new attractions and neighborhoods taking shape on both sides of the Sacramento River,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “It will eliminate the artificial barriers preventing us from being one waterfront district.”
Built 108 years ago, the existing I Street Bridge is too narrow to serve buses, has no bicycle lanes, and has sidewalks that don’t meet accessibility standards. It will continue to operate for trains, which cross on the lower level of the span. The cities of West Sacramento and Sacramento are exploring whether to turn the upper deck into a pedestrian park.
The design was the result of an extensive public process that included input from more than 3,800 people. It includes car lanes, bike lanes, and a broad pedestrian walkway with built-in benches to take in the view.
“The public delivered, and I want t thank the public for being part of the process,” said U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, who secured federal funding for the bridge.
