Antioch Bridge

Overpass on the San Joaquin River

Antioch Bridge

View from southwest in 2014

Coordinates| 38°01′28″N 121°45′02″W﻿ / ﻿38.0244°N 121.7506°W﻿ / 38.0244; -121.7506
Carries|

* 2 lanes of  SR 160
* Bicycles and pedestrians

Crosses| San Joaquin River
Locale| Antioch, California,
and Sacramento County,
California, U.S.
Official name| Senator John A. Nejedly Bridge[1]
Owner| State of California
Maintained by| California Department of Transportation and the
Bay Area Toll Authority
ID number| NBI 28 0009
Website| www.bayareafastrak.org
Characteristics
Design| steel plate girder
Total length| 9,504 feet (1.800 mi; 2.897 km)
Width| 38.1 feet (11.6 m)
Longest span| 460 feet (140 m)
Clearance below| 135 feet (41 m)
History
Opened| December 1978; 46 years ago (1978-12)
Replaces| 1926 lift bridge
Statistics
Daily traffic| 13,600 (2009)
Toll|

* Northbound only
* FasTrak or pay-by-plate, cash not accepted
* Effective January 1 – December 31, 2025 (2025-01-01 – 2025-12-31):
* $8.00
* $4.00 (carpool rush hours, FasTrak only)

Location

The Antioch Bridge (officially the Senator John A. Nejedly Bridge) is an automobile, bicycle, and pedestrian[2] bridge in the western United States. Located in northern California, it crosses the San Joaquin River-Stockton Deepwater Shipping Channel, linking Antioch in Contra Costa County with Sherman Island in southern Sacramento County, near Rio Vista.

Named after state senator John Nejedly, the bridge is signed as part of State Route 160. Unlike other toll bridges in California, it has only a single lane of traffic for each direction.[3] It is one of several bridges in the Bay area that are traversable by pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to automobiles.[2] The current bridge was completed 47 years ago in 1978, is 1.8 miles (2.9 km) in length, and opened to traffic that December.[4]

## History

[edit]

### 1926 toll bridge

[edit]

The original structure was completed in 1926 by the American Toll Bridge Company (Aven Hanford and Oscar Klatt), who went on to build the original span of the Carquinez Bridge. The bridge was opened on 1 January 1926 as a connecting link on the coast-to-coast Victory Highway. Hanford and Klatt, officials with the Rodeo-Vallejo Ferry Company, had organized the American Toll Bridge Company in 1923, which built the bridge at a cost of greater than US$2,000,000 (equivalent to $36,910,000 in 2024).[5]

The Delta Bridge corporation had formed in December 1922,[6] but did not complete a bridge at Antioch. Delta Bridge had received a franchise to build in June 1923.[7]

The 1926 bridge featured two spans each 270 feet (82 m) long which provided a clearance of 70 feet (21 m) below when opened.[5] The original lift span bridge was plagued with problems throughout its lifetime. Heavy traffic could cross it at no more than 15 miles per hour (24 km/h), and its narrow shipping channel led to collisions with freighters in 1958, 1963, and 1970.

### State purchase

[edit]

In 1937, Assemblyman Earl D. Desmond urged the California Toll Bridge Authority to acquire the Antioch Bridge.[8] Desmond believed that by purchasing the bridge, tolls could be eliminated, which would spur economic growth.[9] Director Frank W. Clark negotiated with the American Toll Bridge Company, and the state of California acquired ownership of both the Antioch and Carquinez Bridges at a cost of US$5,943,000 (equivalent to $133,390,000 in 2024) on September 16, 1940. Tolls were reduced immediately and further reduced in 1942.[10]

### Marine traffic collisions

[edit]

The narrow ship channel afforded by the raised span led to marine traffic colliding with the bridge in 1958 (rammed by Kaimana),[11] 1963 (rammed by Pasadena)[12][13] and 1970 (rammed by Washington Bear).[14][15]

The 1970 collision spurred efforts to build a replacement bridge. In that incident, the lift span was stuck in the raised position. The bridge tender could not leave the bridge and remained in the control house for 20 hours. Local firemen eventually made their way to him and brought him out.[16] The bridge was closed for repairs for 5 months.[17]

### 1978 replacement bridge

[edit]

Sen. Nejedly authored Senate Bill 25, which later became Chapter 765 of the California Statutes of 1972,[18] authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund the construction of a replacement to the existing bridge. The bill cited the recent extended disruptions in bridge service from marine traffic damage as well as flooding of the approaches.[18]

The high-level bridge opened in December 1978. Shortly before completion, the replacement bridge was named to honor Sen. Nejedly.[1][19][20]

## Tolls

[edit]

Tolls are only collected from northbound traffic headed to Sacramento County at the toll plaza on Antioch side of the bridge. All-electronic tolling has been in effect since 2020, and drivers may either pay using the FasTrak electronic toll collection device or using the license plate tolling program. It remains not truly an open road tolling system until the remaining unused toll booths are removed, forcing drivers to slow substantially from freeway speeds while passing through. Effective January 1 – December 31, 2025 (2025-01-01 – 2025-12-31), the toll rate for passenger cars is $8. During peak traffic hours on weekdays between 5:00 am and 10:00 am, and between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm, carpool vehicles carrying three or more people, clean air vehicles, or motorcycles may pay a discounted toll of $4 if they have FasTrak and use the designated carpool lane. Drivers without Fastrak or a license plate account must open and pay via a "short term" account within 48 hours after crossing the bridge or they will be sent an invoice of the unpaid toll. No additional toll violation penalty will be assessed if the invoice is paid within 21 days.[21][22][23]

### Historical toll rates

[edit]

Crossing the original 1926 bridge required a toll, but tolls were removed in 1945 after the state bought the bridge in 1940. Under the ownership of the American Toll Bridge company, in 1940, tolls were 45 cents per car (equivalent to $10.1 in 2024) plus five cents (equivalent to $1.12 in 2024) per passenger. After the state took ownership, tolls were immediately reduced to thirty cents per car (equivalent to $6.73 in 2024) for up to four passengers. In 1942, tolls were further reduced to 25 cents per car (equivalent to $4.81 in 2024).[10] then removed three years later. Tolls were reinstated in 1978 with the completion of the new span at fifty cents per car (equivalent to $2.41 in 2024), collected northbound only.[24]

The basic toll (for automobiles) on the seven state-owned bridges, including the Antioch Bridge, was standardized to $1 by Regional Measure 1, approved by Bay Area voters in 1988 (equivalent to $2.66 in 2024).[25] A $1 seismic retrofit surcharge was added in 1998 by the state legislature, increasing the toll to $2 (equivalent to $3.86 in 2024), originally for eight years, but since then extended to December 2037 (AB1171, October 2001).[26] On March 2, 2004, voters approved Regional Measure 2 to fund various transportation improvement projects, raising the toll by another dollar to $3 (equivalent to $4.99 in 2024). An additional dollar was added to the toll starting January 1, 2007, to cover cost overruns on the eastern span replacement of the Bay Bridge, increasing the toll to $4 (equivalent to $6.07 in 2024).[27]

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), a regional transportation agency, in its capacity as the Bay Area Toll Authority, administers RM1 and RM2 funds, a significant portion of which are allocated to public transit capital improvements and operating subsidies in the transportation corridors served by the bridges. Caltrans administers the "second dollar" seismic surcharge, and receives some of the MTC-administered funds to perform other maintenance work on the bridges. The state legislature created the Bay Area Toll Authority in 1997 to transfer the toll administration of the seven state-owned bridges to the MTC. The Bay Area Toll Authority is made up of appointed officials put in place by various city and county governments, and is not subject to direct voter oversight.[28]

Due to further funding shortages for seismic retrofit projects, the Bay Area Toll Authority again raised tolls on all seven of the state-owned bridges in July 2010. The toll rate for autos on the Antioch Bridge was thus increased to $5 (equivalent to $7.21 in 2024).[29]

In June 2018, Bay Area voters approved Regional Measure 3 to further raise the tolls on all seven of the state-owned bridges to fund $4.5 billion worth of transportation improvements in the area.[30][31] Under the passed measure, the toll rate for autos on the Antioch Bridge was increased to $6 on January 1, 2019; to $7 on January 1, 2022; and then to $8 on January 1, 2025.[32]

In September 2019, the MTC approved a $4 million plan to eliminate toll takers and convert all seven of the state-owned bridges to all-electronic tolling, citing that 80 percent of drivers are now using Fastrak and the change would improve traffic flow.[33] On March 20, 2020, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, all-electronic tolling was placed in effect for all seven state-owned toll bridges.[34] The MTC then installed new systems at all seven bridges to make them permanently cashless by the start of 2021.[35] In April 2022, the Bay Area Toll Authority announced plans to remove all remaining unused toll booths and create an open-road tolling system which functions at highway speeds.[36]

The Bay Area Toll Authority then approved a plan in December 2024 to implement 50-cent annual toll increases on all seven state-owned bridges between 2026 and 2030 to help pay for bridge maintenance. The standard toll rate for autos will thus rise to $8.50 on January 1, 2026; $9 in 2027; $9.50 in 2028; $10 in 2029; and then to $10.50 in 2030. And becoming effective in 2027, a 25-cent surcharge will be added to any toll charged to a license plate account, and a 50-cent surcharge added to a toll violation invoice, due to the added cost of processing these payment methods.[37][38]

## Animal incidents

[edit]

In 1965, three circus lions escaped from a truck passing over the Antioch Bridge. Two were quickly recaptured, but one drowned after falling into the river.[39][40]

Humphrey the Whale was stranded near the Antioch Bridge in 1985.[41][42]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b 2015 Named Freeways, Highways, Structures and Other Appurtenances in California (PDF) (Report). Caltrans. 2016. pp. 71, 255. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
2. ^ a b "Antioch Bridge". Retrieved October 3, 2021.
3. ^ "Antioch Bridge". Caltrans, District 4. 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
4. ^ "Bridge Facts: Antioch Bridge". Bay Area Toll Authority. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
5. ^ a b "New Year sees Antioch Bridge opened to travel". Berkeley Daily Gazette. January 1, 1926. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
6. ^ "Antioch Bridge Company Formed". Sacramento Union. December 22, 1922. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
7. ^ "To build bridge in delta region". Madera Tribune. United Press Dispatch. June 4, 1923. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
8. ^ "Desmond Asks For Purchase Delta Bridge". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). February 10, 1937. p. 2. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
9. ^ "Buy Antioch Bridge, Urges Earl Desmond". Lodi News-Sentinel. February 21, 1938. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
10. ^ a b "Tolls on Carquinez and Antioch Bridges Again Reduced by State to 25 Cent Rate for Passenger Cars" (PDF). California Highways and Public Works. 20 (6). Division of Highways, Department of Public Works, State of California: 1–2, 15. June 1942. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
11. ^ "Ramming Closes Antioch Bridge". Lodi News-Sentinel. January 2, 1959. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
12. ^ "Freighter Rams Antioch Bridge". Santa Cruz Sentinel. UPI. December 18, 1963. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
13. ^ "Cargo Ship Dents Bridge at Antioch". Lodi News-Sentinel. December 18, 1963. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
14. ^ "Antioch Bridge". Bridging the Bay. University of California Berkeley Library. December 2, 1999. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
15. ^ "Antioch Bridge". Lodi News-Sentinel. January 15, 1971. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
16. ^ "Anxious Perch". Ogden Standard-Examiner. September 6, 1970. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
17. ^ "Antioch Bridge Open To Traffic". Lodi News-Sentinel. UPI. January 19, 1971. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
18. ^ a b California State Assembly. "An act to add Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 30760) to Chapter 2 of Division 17 of the Streets and Highways Code, relating to the Antioch Bridge, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately". 1972  Session of the Legislature. Statutes of California. State of California. Ch. 765 p. 1374. "The Antioch Bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic for 12 months during the past three years. The 46-year-old structure is extremely vulnerable to damage from marine traffic and to closure as a result of flooding of the approach highway. As a result, highway traffic can be, and has been, disrupted for extended periods of time, with the result that the livelihood of many citizens and the economy of their areas has been seriously damaged."
19. ^ "Bridge dedication". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). UPI photo. November 6, 1978. p. 19.
20. ^ California State Assembly. "An act to amend Sections 2533 and 2534 of the Streets and Highways Code, relating to roads, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately". 1977–1978  Session of the Legislature. Statutes of California. State of California. Ch. 140 p. 363.
21. ^ "Antioch Bridge". www.bayareafastrak.org. CalTrans. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
22. ^ "Ways to Pay". www.bayareafastrak.org. CalTrans. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
23. ^ "Invoices and Penalties". www.bayareafastrak.org. CalTrans. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
24. ^ "History of California's bridge tolls" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Commission. (archive). 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
25. ^ "Regional Measure 1 Toll Bridge Program". Bay Area Toll Authority. Archived from the original on November 4, 2010.
26. ^ Dutra, John (October 14, 2001). "AB 1171 Assembly Bill – Chaptered". California State Assembly. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
27. ^ Cabanatuan, Michael (January 25, 2006). "$1 toll hike for bridges approved". sfgate.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
28. ^ "About MTC". Metropolitan Transportation Commission. October 15, 2009. Archived from the original on November 3, 2010. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
29. ^ "Frequently Asked Toll Questions". Bay Area Toll Authority. June 1, 2010. Archived from the original on November 22, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
30. ^ Cabanatuan, Michael (June 6, 2018). "Regional Measure 3: Work on transportation improvements could start next year". SFGate.com.
31. ^ Kafton, Christien (November 28, 2018). "Bay Area bridge tolls to increase one dollar in January, except Golden Gate". KTVU.
32. ^ "Tolls on Seven Bay Area Bridges Set to Rise Next Month" (Press release). Metropolitan Transportation Commission. December 11, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
33. ^ Smith, Darrell (September 7, 2019). "Do you drive to the Bay Area? A big change is coming to toll booths at the bridges". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
34. ^ "Cash Toll Collection Suspended at Bay Area Bridges". Metropolitan Transportation Commission. March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
35. ^ "New Year Brings New Toll Collection System to Bay Area Bridges". Metropolitan Transportation Commission. December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
36. ^ Cabanatuan, Michael (April 10, 2022). "Bay Area toll collectors are gone, so what happens to the tollbooths? Here's the $77 million answer". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
37. ^ "Toll Authority Approves 2026 Toll Hike, Carpool Policy Changes" (Press release). Metropolitan Transportation Commission. December 18, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
38. ^ Vaziri, Aidin (December 19, 2024). "Bay Area bridge tolls to rise by up to $4.50 over the next five years". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
39. ^ "Antioch Area Is Scene Of Lion Hunting". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). UPI. September 9, 1965. p. 6. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
40. ^ "3 Jungle Cats Make Ill-Fated Freedom Bid". Spartanburg Herald. (South Carolina). Associated Press. September 9, 1965. p. 34. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
41. ^ "A second whale in bay; Humphrey still in Antioch". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). UPI. November 2, 1985. p. 1. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
42. ^ "Second whale takes bay tour". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. November 2, 1985. p. 3A.

Sources

* Caltrans Facts - Bay Area
* "Antioch Bridge Facts". Bay Area Toll Authority. January 2, 2007. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved July 3, 2007.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Antioch Bridge.

## External links

[edit]

External image

Antioch Bridge Image

* Bay Area FasTrak – includes toll information on this and the other Bay Area toll facilities
* Antioch Bridge (1926) at Structurae
* Antioch Bridge (1978) at Structurae

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