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105-Year-Old I Street Bridge Will Eventually Be Closed To Vehicles

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - It's been there for more than 100 years. Tonight there could be changes for Sacramento's I Street Bridge.

This is a well-traveled bridge, whether its foot or vehicle traffic. It's been that way since 1911.

Offering a majestic view of the Sacramento skyline, this 105-year-old rusty weathered friend -- is still in pretty good shape. But a lot has changed since 1911. There are more people and more projects. And with the new King's arena, more people will use this already congested bridge.

"It's a little bit dangerous. There's probably some improvements to make," said Armando Gonzales, who jogs on the bridge.

Relief may be on the way. Sacramento and West Sacramento city leaders are paving the way for the I Street Bridge replacement project. A $76 million federal grant will allow them to build a new bridge about a mile north of the existing bridge. It will cross the Sacramento River from the Sacramento Railyards and provide a new bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicle crossing.

"So I think they should," said Joanne Owens, who walks the bridge.

But what happens to the current bridge? According to the Sacramento Downtown Partnership, it would continue to be used by the Union Pacific Railroad, but it will be closed to vehicle traffic.

"I think it's good timing with the arena coming in and West Sacramento being redeveloped," said a jogger.

Tonight, the Sacramento City Council will decide whether to work out a deal between the city and Folsom contractor Mark Thomas and Company. The new bridge should be complete by 2020.

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