Dumbarton Rail Bridge

Dumbarton Rail Bridge is a railway crossing that spans San Francisco Bay between the east and west shores. The structure features a central pivoting section and multiple truss spans that make up the full length of the passage.

The bridge opened in 1910 as the first railway crossing to span San Francisco Bay. It significantly shortened the rail route between Oakland and San Francisco, transforming regional transportation at the time.

The name refers to Dumbarton Point on the eastern shore, which took its name from a Scottish town in 1876. This naming reflects the connection between early settlers and their European heritage.

The structure is no longer active for train traffic due to damage sustained many years ago. Visitors can observe the bridge from nearby locations, though there are no trains currently operating across it.

The bridge includes a rotating pivot mechanism that once allowed the central section to swing open for ship traffic. This engineering solution is a rare example of early 1900s bridge design innovation.

Inception: 1910

Length: 420 m

Part of: San Francisco Bay

GPS coordinates: 37.49314,-122.11648

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:55