New American River Bridge Topic Of Natomas Workshop

Potential river crossings identified.

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Eight options for a new bridge – or bridges – to connect south Natomas with downtown Sacramento will be the topic of a community workshop next week.

The city will host the workshop on the American River Crossing Alternatives Study 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on May 2.

p.m. at the South Natomas Community Center, 2921 Truxel Road, in Natomas. American River Crossing Alternatives Study.

The city is studying the need for a new crossing of the American River between Interstate 5 and the State Route 160 that would connect the central city and south Natomas.

Nearly 600 people completed a non-scientific survey conducted last year by the city to obtain public input on bridge crossing objectives and travel habits for a section of the American River between Interstate 5 and State Route 160. Seventy-eight percent of survey respondents opined that additional river crossings between I-

5 and Highway 160 were either important or very important and more than 64 percent stated that travel time reduction for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists should be a determining factor.

The American River Crossing Alternatives study is looking at alternative types of crossings, locations for a new crossing, the types of transportation a new crossing should serve, potential costs, and environmental impacts.

Currently, limited connections across the American River is believed to discourage walking and bicycling and create a dependence on the automobile. Local traffic now uses I-5 or Highway 160 which leads to traffic delays during peak commute times periods and reduces options for emergency response teams, evacuation, and non-motorized travel.

Next week’s workshop is a chance for area residents to find out more about the project, give input on work done to date and share their own ideas. City representatives and the project team will be on hand to answer questions and talk in an informal format.

The public is encouraged to attend, at their convenience, between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

The project is being funded by a Caltrans Partnership Planning grant and local funds.