The City of Sacramento announced on Apr. 15 that construction bids for the I Street Bridge Replacement Project have come in significantly higher than expected, leading officials to reconsider costs and next steps for the long-planned project.
The project is important because it aims to improve transportation infrastructure, provide safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists, and enhance connectivity throughout the region. However, the unexpectedly high construction bids have delayed its anticipated start date.
According to city officials, three nationally recognized contractors submitted proposals ranging from about $398 million to $517 million. The lowest bid came from Flatiron Dragados Constructors, Inc., at approximately $398.5 million—almost $100 million more than the City’s projected cost of $300 million. Officials said that industry-wide factors such as supply chain issues, labor market conditions, and broader economic trends have contributed to these increased costs. Further outreach with contractors is planned to better understand what has driven these higher prices.
Assistant City Manager Ryan Moore said, “At this point, it’s truly shovel-ready. If we don’t move forward from here, it would be extremely difficult to get a project like this back to this stage in the future. This project remains a priority for the City and our regional partners as we work through funding challenges and move it forward.”
Plans for the new bridge include 12-foot shared-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists, wider travel lanes suitable for buses and emergency vehicles, and improved access to trails and regional destinations. The existing I Street Bridge—which was built in 1911—will remain in place but will be converted into a crossing dedicated solely to bicycles and pedestrians on its upper deck.
City staff are expected to recommend rejecting current bids due to their costliness before returning to market with refined bid documents after further contractor outreach. Coordination with groups such as the Sacramento Transportation Authority, regional partners, and Caltrans will continue while potential adjustments are evaluated within existing financing plans.
An updated timeline suggests construction could begin in 2027 due partly to environmental restrictions on in-river work windows.
