Yolo Causeway

The Yolo Causeway is a highway bridge on Interstate 80 that connects West Sacramento with Davis across the Yolo Bypass floodplain. It uses concrete trestles and earth fill to span the flat landscape where seasonal flooding is common.

The original structure opened in 1916 as a two-lane timber and concrete bridge built to improve travel between Sacramento and the surrounding region. Over the decades it expanded to meet growing traffic demands as the area developed.

The structure carries the Blecher-Freeman Memorial Causeway name, honoring two California Highway Patrol officers who died in the line of duty. This dedication shows how the region remembers those who served and weaves their memory into its public spaces.

The bridge is easily accessed via Interstate 80 and serves as a direct route between the two cities with multiple lanes for traffic flow. Keep in mind that congestion can occur during rush hours, especially for commuters traveling near Sacramento.

During summer months, hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats roost beneath the bridge, feeding on insects from the surrounding wetlands. This natural gathering makes the bridge an unusual place where infrastructure and wildlife coexist in close proximity.

Location: California

Official opening: 1916

GPS coordinates: 38.56349,-121.63839

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:03