
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:
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