Transportation

Throwback Thursday: Bay Bridge 1936 document

By Mark Prado
Bay Bridge under construction.
Bay Bridge under construction.

The MTC Library has uncovered a document that is a fun read for fans of the Bay Bridge and history.

The document was published in November 1936 by the California Department of Public Works to commemorate the opening of the Bay Bridge. The span opened Nov. 12, 1936, six months before the Golden Gate Bridge. 

The publication has many photos and stories about the building of the span, as well as opening day ceremonies and documents President Franklin D. Roosevelt's participation in the event.

There are also some projections about the span's future that didn't quite come true: "...according to our most careful estimates, the bridge should pay for itself in about 20 years. After that it will become a FREE BRIDGE!"

 

 

Submit your comment

In order to receive a reply to your comment, please provide an email address.

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.