Sacramento (Jan. 14, 2022) The largest bridge repair and replacement program in the nation’s history launched today as the Federal Highway Administration announced how much money will flow to each state. Elected officials from Sacramento and West Sacramento helped kick off the program Friday by highlighting the new I Street Bridge. This shovel-ready project, already approved by Caltrans, is a perfect candidate for funding.

A total of $26.5 billion for bridges will go to states over five years as a result of the bipartisan infrastructure package recently approved by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. California will receive $849 million, more than double any other state.

"Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are proud to announce a key component of the largest investment ever made in our country’s bridges – bringing a major infusion of funds to modernize our aging infrastructure and make travel safer and more efficient,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui. “The Infrastructure Law is delivering results for our community. Soon, millions of dollars in federal funding will be headed to the Sacramento region, creating good-paying jobs and ensuring vital upgrades and repairs. Today’s announcement is the first of many that will help us forge an economically vibrant path forward, and I will continue to work in Congress to make sure our region’s needs are met with the urgency they deserve.”

The current I Street Bridge, built 110 years ago, is too narrow for buses, lacks bike lanes and is particularly hazardous for pedestrians. The replacement, which was designed with extensive public input, includes car lanes, bike lanes and a broad pedestrian walkway with built-in benches.

“I am thankful to President Biden and our Congressional delegation for persevering and passing this once-in-a-generation infrastructure bill, which will allow California to make crucial investments like replacing the 110-year-old I Street Bridge to improve the safety and movement of people and goods between our Sacramento and West Sacramento communities,” said state Sen. Richard Pan.

Pan and Mayor Darrell Steinberg were joined Friday on an outdoor platform at the City’s water intake plant in the Sacramento River overlooking the bridge by West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero; Assemblymember Jim Cooper; Assemblymember Kevin McCarty; Councilmember Jeff Harris; and Glenda Corcoran, District Director for U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui.

For the past nine years, the Cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento have been advancing planning and design of the I Street Bridge Replacement Project (Project) based on the expectation of previously programmed and committed $188 million in funding from the Caltrans-administered Highway Bridge Replacement Program (HBP). This Project has been a top priority for both cities for almost two decades due to the limited existing connectivity across the Sacramento River, which creates significant negative environmental and public health impacts, restricts emergency access, and creates natural disaster vulnerabilities for the region.

Despite Caltrans approval, securing the necessary funding for the entire project has been a challenge due to a need for local agencies to self-fund bridge projects costing more than $20 million and get reimbursed over a number of years. There is no feasible transportation bonding agency or regional transportation agency in the Sacramento County/Yolo County region that has the capacity or authority to advance this level of funding or that can issue bonds for this project. This bipartisan infrastructure package will provide the funding and financial flexibility needed to get this project off the ground.

“Sacramento and West Sacramento need more bridge connections, not just for vehicles but for bicycles and pedestrians,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “The I Street Bridge is an overdue improvement that will improve safety, help us meet our climate goals, and enliven our waterfront.”

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla also cited the I Street Bridge as a good candidate for funding.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a game-changing investment in our economy,” Sen. Padilla said. “Today’s launch of the Bridge Formula Program marks the single largest investment in bridges in U.S. history, which will transform California’s critical infrastructure. Repairing and replacing outdated bridges like the old I Street bridge will create good-paying jobs and help make our communities healthier, safer, and more interconnected.”