The Importance of the Dumbarton Bridge
Dumbarton Bridge is the least appreciated of the four bridges connecting the Eastern and Western halves of the Bay Area. It is a dynamic symbol of connectivity, utility, and commerce. Its powerful status as a lesser-known historical landmark means that it will always have an important place in our hearts.
At Dumbarton Capital, we seek to preserve the embattled ecosystem surrounding the Dumbarton Bridge. More than 90% of the Bay Area’s salt marshes have been developed, and numerous local Californian species of wildlife are threatened by habitat loss and invasive species.
1910
The Bridge is Built
The Bridge is Built
The bridge is located at the scenic site of Dumbarton point, a stretch of marshlands named after Dumbarton, Scotland, in 1876. The first bridge was a train bridge built by the Souther Pacific Company at a cost of $7,000,000, making it the most expensive bridge in the state of California. The first train crossed the bridge in September 1910.
In 1927, the Dumbarton Bridge Company upgraded the bridge to service cars at a cost of $2.5 million. It was the first bridge in the Bay Area devoted to automobiles, although it would soon be followed by the Bay Bridge in 1933 and the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937.
As traffic increased throughout the 1940s, congestion increased. This also posed safety hazards, as traffic accidents on the bridge occasionally proved fatal. The state of California bought the bridge in 1951, and began a $74 million renovation program to completely rebuild the bridge.
1984
Dumbarton Bridge is rebuilt
Old Dumbarton Bridge is Demolished, New Dumbarton Bridge is Built
In 1982, the old Dumbarton bridge was demolished, and in December of 1984, the new bridge was opened. Because of its location within the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, special care had to be taken during construction to avoid disturbing the ecosystem's delicate balance. The new bridge spans the Bay between Menlo Park and Fremont. It is 1.6 miles long, and had 4 lanes.
The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake damaged the bridge, causing more than $200 million in damages. When the repairs were finally completed, the bridge was modified to include an additional two lanes.
Currently the bridge hosts 70,000 vehicle crossings per day, and roughly 118 bicycle and pedestrian crossings. It has 6 lanes, and an additional railroad track is under construction. The Dumbarton Bridge is the Bay Area’s most under appreciated bridge, as it quietly helps thousands of people commute between work and home, and helps relieve congestion.
