San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge

San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge is a double-decker crossing in San Francisco Bay, California. The steel construction rises 160 meters high and spans nearly 79 meters wide.

Construction began in 1933 and took three years until the opening in November 1936. At that time it stood as the longest such structure worldwide.

The name refers to the two major cities it connects across opposite shores of the bay. Locals often call it simply the Bay Bridge to distinguish it from the Golden Gate crossing.

Vehicles use ten lanes arranged on two levels, with tolls collected only westbound. Electronic systems capture fees automatically during passage.

A tunnel runs through Yerba Buena Island and links different construction styles on each side. The eastern half was replaced by a new section after 2013.

Location: San Francisco

Location: Oakland

Inception: July 9, 1933

Architects: Charles H. Purcell, Arthur Brown, Jr., Timothy L. Pflueger

Official opening: November 12, 1936

Height: 160 m

Longest Span: 704 m

Width: 78.74 m

Made from material: steel

Website: https://mtc.ca.gov/operations/programs-projects/bridges/san-francisco-oakland-bay-bridge

GPS coordinates: 37.81806,-122.34667

Latest update: December 4, 2025 11:00