Frequently Asked Questions

Timeline

The project team is hard at work pursuing multiple federal, state and local funding sources to pay for the bridge. In the fall 2024, as part of the process to apply for more federal funding, the project team received an updated estimate of $1.12 billion to design and build the new bridge.
As of late 2024, the project is moving through the early design process and working to complete a base design by December 2024, informed by public feedback. That process will include an assessment of potential risks to the project and an updated cost estimate.
The construction start date is dependent on available funding. If funding is available, construction could begin fall 2027. If funding is not available, the project team will complete design of the bridge and start construction as soon as funds are secured.
Construction of the new bridge is expected to take 4-5 years, which could begin as early as fall 2027 assuming the project is fully funded.

The current estimated cost is about $1.12 billion based on the current base design. Read more here.
As of summer 2025, the team has secured $563 million in committed funds from federal and state grants and local funds.
The Authority is applying for $532 million through the federal Bridge Investment Program. The remainder of the project cost will come from a federal TIFIA loan that will be paid by local tolls.
As of fall 2024, about $19 million has been spent on the bridge. Most of this has been spent on planning and design, including preliminary engineering, environmental permitting, site testing and sourcing project funding.

100% of the 2023 increase is going into a separate account to be used solely for the new bridge. This money is held in a reserve fund that will be used to secure the federal loan that will pay for the portion of bridge costs not covered by grants.
Yes. Toll revenue is needed to cover the cost of the construction loan repayment and ongoing maintenance and operations of the bridge. The Authority is committed to ensuring the tolls stay as low as possible and will set the new tolls based on the finances of the project when the bridge opens.
All toll revenue from the new bridge must be used to pay back construction loans as well as maintain the new bridge.
Tolling rates and policies for the new bridge will be set by the Bridge Authority after financing is complete and all costs are known.
Not until the new bridge opens. However, after July 1, 2026, all toll revenue will go to maintaining the existing bridge or building the new bridge; it will not be used for non-bridge purposes.

The new bridge will be located just west, or downstream, of the existing bridge. See a map here.
Yes.

It will remain open during construction of the new bridge. After the new bridge opens, the existing bridge will be demolished. Federal historic preservation guidelines require the project team to try to find another use for all or parts of the existing bridge. These uses may include museum displays, interpretive displays or integration into the design of the new bridge.
Due to its age and condition, the bridge is too expensive to maintain. In addition, it doesn’t meet current environmental standards and wouldn’t withstand a major earthquake.

A completed design is expected in late 2026.
Members of the public have already had the opportunity to share their thoughts on elements of the bridge design earlier in 2024, when the Bridge Aesthetics Committee was gathering feedback to inform its Bridge Aesthetics Guidance Memo. A summary is available here. The bridge designers are using this memo to guide them as they design the bridge.