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.
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.
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.
