Sacramento City Council backs staffrecommended Truxell Bridge concept, directs environmental and funding work

The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday voted to adopt staffrecommended Alternative 3B for the Truxell Bridge concept and feasibility study and directed the city manager to pursue environmental clearance and funding for the next phase.

The vote followed a lengthy public comment period and more than an hour of council discussion about tradeoffs between a multimodal bridge that would carry cars, light rail, buses, bikes and pedestrians and a narrower, transit- and pedestrian-only crossing. Vice Mayor Talamantes moved to adopt the staff recommendation; Council Member Pluckettbaum seconded. The motion passed with Council Member Kaplan voting no, Council Member Vang abstaining and the remaining members voting yes.

Supporters including construction unions and business groups said the chosen alternative balances multimodal access and job creation. "We are in favor of the staff's recommendation," said Kurt Ferreira, a business agent for the NorCal Carpenters Union. Several union representatives told the council the project would bring local, union construction jobs.

Opponents, including active-transportation advocates and river-conservation groups, urged the council to study a car-free option before committing to a design that includes general-purpose vehicle lanes. "I believe tonight will be an opportunity lost we were never given…