Benicia–Martinez Bridge, Road and railway bridges in Martinez, United States
Description
The Benicia–Martinez Bridge is a group of three parallel bridges crossing the Carquinez Strait in Northern California, including one rail bridge and two road bridges. The entire system extends roughly 2.7 kilometers and links the two cities on opposite shores of the strait.
History
The rail bridge was built in 1930 as a replacement for the Southern Pacific Railroad ferry service across the Carquinez Strait. The first road span opened in 1962 to carry automobile traffic, and a second road span was added later after traffic in the region grew.
Culture
The structure takes its name from the two cities it connects, Benicia and Martinez, across the Carquinez Strait. Travelers crossing today often see cargo ships and ferries below, following the same waterway that once served as the sole link between the two shores.
Practical
The northbound roadway carries five lanes across the strait and includes automatic toll systems that capture vehicles as they pass through. The southbound road span offers four lanes and a dedicated bike path for pedestrians and cyclists, allowing a safe crossing away from automobile traffic.
Did you know?
The rail section ranks among the longest railway bridges west of the Mississippi and measures over 2.7 kilometers. Many travelers notice when crossing that the parallel spans are slightly offset from one another because they were built decades apart using different engineering standards of their time.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Martinez).
Carquinez Bridge
9.3 km
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord
9.9 km
John Muir National Historic Site
5.5 km
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
8.4 km
USCGC Storis
6 km
Briones Regional Park
11.7 km
Benicia Arsenal
1.9 km
Benicia State Recreation Area
7.2 km
Don Francisco Galindo House
10.8 km
Mare Island Light
11.8 km
Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline
6.2 km
Muir Trestle
5.6 km
Carquinez Strait Light
8.5 km
Don Salvio Pacheco Adobe
10.3 km
Roe Island Light
8.9 km
Tucker House
3.2 km
Ryer Island
10.6 km
Port Costa School
5.8 km
Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline
2.5 km
Vicente Martinez Adobe
5.6 km
Martinez Library
2.7 km
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection – Pleasant Hill, CA
11.2 km
Old Masonic Hall
3.2 km
Don Fernando Pacheco Adobe
8.6 km
Patrick Rodgers Farm
11.3 km
Pixieland Amusement Park
10.5 km
William T. Hendrick House
7.9 km
Jardín Botánico de Plantas Nativas Forrest Deaner
3.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes