Caltrans spends $2.7M on American River Bridge bike path | The Locally Times
The $239.5 million bridge project adds a Class I bike path while weekend closures block the Capital City Freeway.
Caltrans allocated $2.7 million from the Active Transportation Program, a state fund for bicycle and pedestrian projects, to build a Class I bike path as part of the $239.5 million American River Bridge Rehabilitation Project. The agency detailed this funding in a May 22, 2026, release. The project connects this new path to the existing American River bike trail system while crews replace the bridge deck and install sheet piles around piers for reinforcement. ## Bridge Project Funding The $2.7 million bike path allocation represents a portion of the total project budget. The remaining $236.8 million comes from the State Highway Operation and Protection Program, which funds bridge and highway maintenance. The records do not specify how the agency distributes the $236.8 million across individual project components beyond the deck replacement and pier reinforcement. ## Capital City Freeway Closure The American River Bridge project requires a 28-hour full freeway closure on the northbound Capital City Freeway, also known as State Route 51 and Business 80. The closure began at 11 p.m. Friday, May 29, and is scheduled to conclude at 3 a.m. Sunday, May 31. The closure spans from N Street to Exposition Boulevard. Caltrans requires this closure to cure a polyester concrete overlay on the bridge deck. During this period, the northbound P Street, J Street, and E Street on-ramps are closed. Additionally, connectors from eastbound and westbound U.S. Highway 50 to the northbound Capital City Freeway are inaccessible to traffic. ## Yuba Pass Bridge Work Caltrans manages the $112 million Yuba Pass Separation Overhead Bridge Project, the rebuild of the I-80 freeway overpass at SR 20, near the Interstate 80 junction. This project requires a three-day closure of eastbound State Route 20 between the Omega Scenic Overlook and the I-80 junction. The closure is set for 6 a.m. Monday, June 1, through 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. Motorists traveling from eastbound SR 20 to I-80 must use a detour. Caltrans directs drivers to use southbound State Route 49 to reach I-80 in Auburn or southbound State Route 174 to reach I-80 in Colfax. Large trucks must use SR 49. The eastbound I-80 off-ramp to westbound SR 20 is also closed, with traffic diverted along eastbound I-80 to Eagle Lakes Road before returning westbound. ## Key Questions **How will the highway closures affect my commute?** The northbound Capital City Freeway is closed until 3 a.m. Sunday, May 31, and eastbound State Route 20 will be closed from 6 a.m. Monday, June 1, to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. Motorists should expect delays and use the designated detour routes on SR 49 and SR 174. **What is the $2.7 million investment for?** Caltrans is using this funding from the Active Transportation Program to add a Class I bike path that connects to the existing American River bike trail system as part of the $239.5 million American River Bridge Rehabilitation Project.