SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Roughly 108 years ago, the current I street bridge was built. And now, the cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento take another step toward building a new bridge between the Sacramento Railyards and West Sacramento's Washington neighborhood.
City and state officials on Friday unveiled the new bridge design by T.Y. Lin International to make a bridge that was light, airy and complimented the river.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said at the unveiling that the new bridge is the first bridge to be built since the I-80 was built over the Sacramento River roughly 50 years ago.
"This strikingly modern design will make the new bridge an instant landmark and an important piece of redesigned waterfront," Steinberg said in a press release.
Steinberg added that he can't wait to see what is to come for the two cities and the region. Sacramento and West Sacramento expect the bridge to be completed in 2023.
Representative Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) pulled the table cloth off the 3-D model of the bridge design.
"This bridge is our future," Matsui said.
Matsui explained that after a year, the community, officials and architects settled on the lift bridge built in a way that allows for transportation to cross on multiple lanes, boats to pass under safely, and shaded walkways for people to cross on bikes or foot.
The arches on the bridge are designed to give a "cathedral feel" as drivers pass over the river, according to the lead bridge architect Noel Shamble.
The current I Street bridge will remain after the construction of the replacement bridge, which is built just north of the I Street Bridge. The old bridge will continue to be used as a railroad crossing and have a redesigned upper deck enhanced for pedestrians and cyclists.
Shamble said the bridge would also have seating areas on either side of the bridge to allow for people to sit close to the river in either Sacramento or West Sacramento.
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