Site Navigation Baja California California Colorado Idaho Hawaii Nevada New Mexico Oregon Utah Washington     Interstate 680 The original Benicia-Martinez Bridge was opened to traffic on September 15, 1962 (George Miller, Jr. Bridge, deck truss span, 1.2 miles); the new span opened on August 25, 2007 (segmented concrete span, George Miller III Bridge, 1.7 miles). A Union Pacific railroad lift bridge sits between the two spans; it was built in 1929-1930. This photo was taken before the new span was completed. Photo taken 12/29/04. Routing Interstate 680 connects the cities of San Jose, Milpitas, Fremont, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez, and Benicia in the eastern suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a heavily traveled route that is being expanded and widened in several locations. The section of freeway through San Jose and Milpitas is generally eight lanes, but it is only four to six lanes wide through Sunol (rural area between Fremont and Pleasanton). This section is being widened to accommodate commuters between the jobs in Silicon Valley and affordable housing in the Central Valley. The former cloverleaf at the junction of Interstates 580 and 680 is in the midst of a reconstruction, and the freeway between Pleasanton and Concord has recently been expanded. Preliminary design is underway for work to be performed on the toll Martinez-Benicia Bridge over Suisun Bay. Interstate 680 ends at its junction with Interstate 80 near Cordelia. History Key Opening Dates of Interstate 680: Interstate 280 and U.S. 101 to McKee Road – September 4th, 1974 McKee Road to Hostetter Road – December 158h, 1974 Hostetter Road to California 237 – September 5th, 1974 California 237 to California 262 – March 17th, 1971 California 262 to California 238 – January 28th, 1971 California 238 to California 84 – January 9th, 1964 California 84 to Interstate 580 – November 8th, 1967 Interstate 580 to Alcosta Blvd – December 16th, 1965 Alcosta Blvd to Sycamore Valley Road – January 3rd, 1967 Sycamore Valley Road to Rudgear Road – December 1st, 1964 Rudgear Road to Contra Costa-Solano County Line – Pre 1964 Many thanks to C.J. Moon for his assistance in providing this historical chronology. Photo Journey Interstate 680 is split into the following pages: Interstate 680 - Index Northbound: Interstate 680 - Santa Clara County Interstate 680 - Alameda County Interstate 680 - Contra Costa County Interstate 680 - Solano County Southbound: Interstate 680 - Solano County Interstate 680 - Contra Costa County Interstate 680 - Alameda County Interstate 680 - Santa Clara County Scenes Pertaining to Interstate 680 The above signage for Junction Interstate 680 is found along Crow Canyon Road (Exit 36), and these photoboxes also include several pictures of a trailblazer shield on northbound San Ramon Valley Boulevard. Note the control cities of Sacramento (northbound) and San Jose (southbound). Photos taken 12/27/01. The above signage is found along Stone Valley Road in Alamo as it approaches Interstate 680. The Blue Star Memorial Highway marker is located in a landscaped area within the interchange complex. Photos taken 10/20/00. This shield image is taken at the industrial park area at Exit 60 (Industrial Way/Bayshore Road). The reserve fleet is located on Suisun Bay, which is the wide portion of the delta that can be seen from the Benicia-Martinez Bridge looking east. Photo taken 12/29/04. A freeway entrance shield for Interstate 680 is posted at Exit 60 (Industrial Way/Bayshore Road) in Benicia near the Valero oil refinery. Photo taken 12/29/04. This view shows view from Bayshore Road looking at the Benicia-Martinez 1962 span during evening light. Photo taken 12/29/04. Looking south toward the city of Martinez over the Carquinez Strait, this view of the original 1962 Benicia-Martinez Bridge and the railroad bridge can be seen from Bayshore Road in Benicia. Photo taken 12/29/04. Page Updated September 13, 2008.