Rio Vista Bridge, Vertical-lift bridge in Rio Vista, California

Rio Vista Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge carrying State Route 12 across the Sacramento River with substantial overall length. Its central span raises vertically to permit vessels to pass through with clearance reaching about 135 feet.

The current bridge was completed in 1960, replacing an earlier bascule bridge from 1919 that had served the river crossing. The new design earned recognition from the American Institute of Steel Construction for its engineering.

The bridge's official name honours Helen Madere, a former vice-mayor of Rio Vista. The 1919 crossing it replaced was a Strauss double-leaf bascule with timber trestle approaches; the lift span that stands today was assembled in prefabricated segments at Pacific Murphy's Richmond yard and barged upstream to the site.

The lift span rises fully in under 90 seconds, but the whole cycle can hold road traffic for 8 to 25 minutes, so allow time when a vessel is due. With the span down, clearance beneath is only 18 feet (5.5 m); the navigation channel between the timber fenders is 270 feet (82 m) wide. A 167-horsepower diesel generator backs up the two 30-horsepower electric motors.

In 1967, the Italian freighter Ilice collided with the raised span, destroying an entire truss section. Emergency repairs were completed within three weeks, showing the structural resilience of the design.