© Thomas HawkSan Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge 1936
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge 1936
The Bridge
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is a 13km crossing from San Francisco to Oakland. The western section is two double-decked suspension bridges, each of 704m main span, connected to a central anchorage. These were designed and overseen by the engineer, Charles Purcell, in the 1930s.
The crossing then enters a tunnel at Yerba Buena Island before the eastern section, a single-anchored suspension bridge with a long viaduct, reaches Oakland. This section is a new replacement bridge that opened in 2013. It is 10 lanes wide on a single-deck across the shallower waters to the Oakland shore.
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (West)
The 'Bay Bridge' connects San Francisco and Oakland
Key Facts
Two-suspension bridges, connecting San Francisco to Yerba Buena Island
A viaduct completes the crossing to Oakland
Location
California, USA
Across San Francisco Bay
Consulting Engineers
Charles H. Purcell
Description
Suspension bridge
2 x 704m main spans
2,822m total length
Main contractors
American Bridge Company
Construction
Began 8 July 1933
Opened 12 November 1936
Other long-span bridges
