Delta Conservancy Welcomes New Board Members; Funding Approved for Freeport Gateway Monuments

January 22, 2025
WEST SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy welcomed three new Board members on Wednesday, and the Board voted to approve funding to construct gateway monuments in the town of Freeport that will highlight the historical and cultural importance of the Delta community.

Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, San Joaquin County Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal, and Yolo County Supervisor Sheila Allen were appointed to the Conservancy Board.

The Conservancy Board voted to award $505,202 to Sacramento County to install two gateway monuments welcoming people to Freeport and announcing it as the “Northern Gateway to the Delta,” and an interpretive sign depicting Freeport’s unique history.

Illustrative concept of the Freeport, Delta Gateway Monuments Project.
The graphic shown is an illustrative concept. Final design will be determined during implementation. Project rendering courtesy of Sacramento County Dept. of Transportation.

“The County of Sacramento looks forward to completing the final phase to build community landmarks representing the diverse history of Freeport and the Delta,” said County Senior Landscape Architect Henry Yasui. “The project not only creates a sense of place for visitors but will educate them to the area’s historic role in regional commerce, transportation, and culture. The work leading up to the final implementation has been the result of the cooperation and valuable input from Freeport citizens.”

Located along the Sacramento River, the unincorporated town of Freeport is one of the 11 designated Legacy Communities in the Delta and played an important historical role in the California Gold Rush as a “free port” location where merchants could bypass City of Sacramento tariffs.

Freeport is also part of the last leg of the Victory Highway, a transcontinental road spanning from California to New York that was built in dedication to Americans who died in World War I. Today the stretch of road that passes through Freeport is known as Highway 160.

The Conservancy previously funded a planning grant and an acquisition grant for this project. The project is funded through Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018, which made $12 million available to the Conservancy.

At the meeting, the Board also received an overview of the Conservancy’s 2024 Annual Report highlighting the achievements and milestones from the past year and approved an Implementation Plan for 2025.

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