Antioch Bridge

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$|2000000|1923|round=-4}}.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M1YxAAAAIBAJ&pg=930%2C33627 |title=New Year sees Antioch Bridge opened to travel |author= |date=1 January 1926 |newspaper=Berkeley Daily Gazette |access-date=26 August 2016}}

The Delta Bridge corporation had formed in December 1922,{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SU19221222.2.119 |title=Antioch Bridge Company Formed |author= |date=22 December 1922 |newspaper=Sacramento Union |access-date=26 August 2016}} but did not complete a bridge at Antioch. Delta Bridge had received a franchise to build in June 1923.{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=MT19230604.2.27 |title=To build bridge in delta region |agency=United Press Dispatch |author= |date=4 June 1923 |newspaper=Madera Tribune |access-date=26 August 2016}}

The 1926 bridge featured two spans each {{convert|270|ft}} long which provided a clearance of {{convert|70|ft}} below when opened. The original lift span bridge was plagued with problems throughout its lifetime. Heavy traffic could cross it at no more than {{convert|15|mph|km/h}}, and its narrow shipping channel led to collisions with freighters in 1958, 1963, and 1970.

In 1937, Assemblyman Earl D. Desmond urged the California Toll Bridge Authority to acquire the Antioch Bridge.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jQxFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6668%2C3188652 |title=Desmond Asks For Purchase Delta Bridge |date=10 February 1937 |page=2 |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |location=(California)|access-date=26 August 2016}} Desmond believed that by purchasing the bridge, tolls could be eliminated, which would spur economic growth.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CXAzAAAAIBAJ&pg=6919%2C3195823 |title=Buy Antioch Bridge, Urges Earl Desmond |date=21 February 1938 |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |access-date=26 August 2016}} 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$|5943000|1940|round=-4}} on September 16, 1940. Tolls were reduced immediately and further reduced in 1942.{{cite journal |url=https://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/Californiahighways/chpw_1942_jun.pdf |title=Tolls on Carquinez and Antioch Bridges Again Reduced by State to 25 Cent Rate for Passenger Cars |author= |journal=California Highways and Public Works |date=June 1942 |volume=20 |number=6 |pages=1–2; 15 |publisher=Division of Highways, Department of Public Works, State of California |access-date=31 August 2016}}

The narrow ship channel afforded by the raised span led to marine traffic colliding with the bridge in 1958 (rammed by Kaimana),{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FAo0AAAAIBAJ&pg=3990%2C37258 |title=Ramming Closes Antioch Bridge |author= |date=2 January 1959 |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |access-date=26 August 2016}} 1963 (rammed by Pasadena){{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/59922190/ |title=Freighter Rams Antioch Bridge |author= |agency=UPI |date=18 December 1963 |newspaper=Santa Cruz Sentinel|access-date=26 August 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bGgzAAAAIBAJ&pg=3565%2C6023346 |title=Cargo Ship Dents Bridge at Antioch |author= |date=18 December 1963 |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |access-date=26 August 2016}} and 1970 (rammed by Washington Bear).{{cite web | title=Antioch Bridge | url=https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/news_events/bridge/antioch.html | website=Bridging the Bay | publisher=University of California Berkeley Library | date=December 2, 1999 | access-date=September 20, 2015}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WxQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=4851%2C1104340 |title=Antioch Bridge |author= |date=15 January 1971 |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |access-date=26 August 2016}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/30053030/ |title=Anxious Perch |author= |date=6 September 1970 |newspaper=Ogden Standard-Examiner |access-date=26 August 2016}} The bridge was closed for repairs for 5 months.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XRQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=4256%2C1291694 |title=Antioch Bridge Open To Traffic |author= |date=19 January 1971 |agency=UPI |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |access-date=26 August 2016}}

Sen. Nejedly authored Senate Bill 25, which later became Chapter 765 of the California Statutes of 1972,{{Cite California statute |year=1972 |chapter=765 |page=1374 |title=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. |quote=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.}} 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.

The high-level bridge opened in December 1978. Shortly before completion, the replacement bridge was named to honor Sen. Nejedly.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GZQzAAAAIBAJ&pg=6146%2C741288 |work=Lodi News-Sentinel |location=(California)|agency=UPI photo |title=Bridge dedication |date=November 6, 1978 |page=19}}{{Cite California statute |year=1978 |chapter=140 |page=363 |title=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.}}

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 {{Start and end dates|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.{{cite web|title=Antioch Bridge|url=https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/tolls/antioch-bridge.shtml|website=www.bayareafastrak.org|publisher=CalTrans|access-date=January 1, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Ways to Pay|url=https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/home/ways-to-pay.shtml|website=www.bayareafastrak.org|publisher=CalTrans|access-date=January 12, 2025}}{{cite web|title=Invoices and Penalties|url=https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/help/invoices-and-penalties-faqs.shtml|website=www.bayareafastrak.org|publisher=CalTrans|access-date=January 12, 2025}}

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{{spaces}}cents per car ({{inflation|US|0.45|1940|r=2|fmt=eq}}) plus five{{spaces}}cents ({{inflation|US|0.05|1940|r=2|fmt=eq}}) per passenger. After the state took ownership, tolls were immediately reduced to thirty cents per car ({{inflation|US|0.30|1940|r=2|fmt=eq}}) for up to four passengers. In 1942, tolls were further reduced to 25{{spaces}}cents per car ({{inflation|US|0.25|1942|r=2|fmt=eq}}). then removed three years later. Tolls were reinstated in 1978 with the completion of the new span at fifty cents per car ({{inflation|US|0.50|1978|r=2|fmt=eq}}), collected northbound only.{{cite news |url=https://mtc.ca.gov/sites/default/files/toll_history.pdf |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Commission |agency=(archive) |title=History of California's bridge tolls|date=2010 |accessdate=November 4, 2021}}

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 ({{inflation|US|1|1988|r=2|fmt=eq}}).{{cite web |url = http://bata.mtc.ca.gov/projects/rm1.htm |title = Regional Measure 1 Toll Bridge Program |publisher = Bay Area Toll Authority |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101104094253/http://bata.mtc.ca.gov/projects/rm1.htm |url-status = dead |archive-date = November 4, 2010 }} A $1 seismic retrofit surcharge was added in 1998 by the state legislature, increasing the toll to $2 ({{inflation|US|2|1998|r=2|fmt=eq}}), originally for eight years, but since then extended to December 2037 (AB1171, October 2001).{{cite news|first=John |last=Dutra |title=AB 1171 Assembly Bill – Chaptered |date=October 14, 2001 |publisher=California State Assembly |url=https://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_1151-1200/ab_1171_bill_20011014_chaptered.html |access-date=August 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315184435/https://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_1151-1200/ab_1171_bill_20011014_chaptered.html |archive-date=March 15, 2012 |url-status=live }} On March 2, 2004, voters approved Regional Measure 2 to fund various transportation improvement projects, raising the toll by another dollar to $3 ({{inflation|US|3.00|2004|r=2|fmt=eq}}). 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 ({{inflation|US|4|2007|r=2|fmt=eq}}).{{cite web |last=Cabanatuan |first=Michael |title=$1 toll hike for bridges approved |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/1-toll-hike-for-bridges-approved-2505984.php |website=sfgate.com | date=January 25, 2006 | access-date=January 2, 2025}}

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.{{cite web|title=About MTC |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Commission |date=October 15, 2009 |url=https://www.mtc.ca.gov/about_mtc/about.htm |access-date=October 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103124604/https://www.mtc.ca.gov/about_mtc/about.htm |archive-date=November 3, 2010 |url-status=live }}

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 ({{inflation|US|5.00|2010|r=2|fmt=eq}}).{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Toll Questions |publisher=Bay Area Toll Authority |date=June 1, 2010 |url=https://www.mtc.ca.gov/tolls/faq.htm#2 |access-date=June 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122040153/https://www.mtc.ca.gov/tolls/faq.htm#2 |archive-date=November 22, 2010 |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite news | url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/3-hike-to-Bay-Area-tolls-appears-to-have-support-12972027.php | title=Regional Measure 3: Work on transportation improvements could start next year | first=Michael | last=Cabanatuan | publisher=SFGate.com | date=June 6, 2018}}{{cite news | url=http://www.ktvu.com/news/bay-area-bridge-tolls-to-increase-one-dollar-in-january-except-golden-gate | title=Bay Area bridge tolls to increase one dollar in January, except Golden Gate | first=Christien | last=Kafton | publisher=KTVU | date=November 28, 2018}} 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.{{cite press release | url=https://mtc.ca.gov/whats-happening/news/tolls-seven-bay-area-bridges-set-rise-next-month | title=Tolls on Seven Bay Area Bridges Set to Rise Next Month | publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Commission | date=December 11, 2018 | access-date=December 16, 2018}}

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.{{cite news | url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article234765937.html | title=Do you drive to the Bay Area? A big change is coming to toll booths at the bridges | first=Darrell | last=Smith | newspaper=The Sacramento Bee | date=September 7, 2019 | access-date=April 12, 2020}} On March 20, 2020, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, all-electronic tolling was placed in effect for all seven state-owned toll bridges.{{Cite web|url=https://mtc.ca.gov/whats-happening/news/cash-toll-collection-suspended-bay-area-bridges|title=Cash Toll Collection Suspended at Bay Area Bridges|date=March 20, 2020|website=Metropolitan Transportation Commission|language=en|access-date=March 20, 2020}} The MTC then installed new systems at all seven bridges to make them permanently cashless by the start of 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://mtc.ca.gov/news/new-year-brings-new-toll-collection-system-bay-area-bridges|title=New Year Brings New Toll Collection System to Bay Area Bridges|date=December 28, 2020|website=Metropolitan Transportation Commission|language=en|access-date=December 28, 2020}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Cabanatuan |first1=Michael |title=Bay Area toll collectors are gone, so what happens to the tollbooths? Here’s the $77 million answer |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Bay-Area-toll-collectors-vanished-when-COVID-hit-17068234.php |publisher=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=12 April 2022 |date=10 April 2022}}

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.{{cite press release | url=https://mtc.ca.gov/news/toll-authority-approves-2026-toll-hike-carpool-policy-changes | title=Toll Authority Approves 2026 Toll Hike, Carpool Policy Changes | publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Commission | date=December 18, 2024 | access-date=January 2, 2025}}{{cite web |last=Vaziri |first=Aidin |title=Bay Area bridge tolls to rise by up to $4.50 over the next five years |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/bay-area-bridge-toll-hikes-19990879.php |publisher=San Francisco Chronicle | date=December 19, 2024 | access-date=January 2, 2025}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6OAzAAAAIBAJ&pg=5039%2C5116785 |title=Antioch Area Is Scene Of Lion Hunting |date=9 September 1965 |page=6 |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |location=(California) |agency=UPI |access-date=26 August 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aHIsAAAAIBAJ&pg=7190%2C1384892 |title=3 Jungle Cats Make Ill-Fated Freedom Bid |date=9 September 1965 |page=34|newspaper=Spartanburg Herald |location=(South Carolina) |agency=Associated Press |access-date=26 August 2016}}

Humphrey the Whale was stranded near the Antioch Bridge in 1985.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wbUzAAAAIBAJ&pg=4802%2C198102 |title=A second whale in bay; Humphrey still in Antioch |agency=UPI |date=2 November 1985 |page=1 |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |location=(California) |access-date=26 August 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bQ8pAAAAIBAJ&pg=4049%2C210443 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=Second whale takes bay tour |date=November 2, 1985 |page=3A}}

{{reflist|30em}}

Sources

{{refbegin}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070407142058/http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/trivia.htm Caltrans Facts - Bay Area]
• {{cite web | title =Antioch Bridge Facts | publisher =Bay Area Toll Authority | date =January 2, 2007 | url =http://bata.mtc.ca.gov/bridges/antioch.htm | access-date =2007-07-03 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070629061022/http://bata.mtc.ca.gov/bridges/antioch.htm | archive-date =29 June 2007 | url-status =dead }}

{{refend}}

{{commons category}}

{{External media|image1=[http://gallery.photo.net/photo/13586232-lg.jpg Antioch Bridge Image]}}

• [http://www.bayareafastrak.org/ Bay Area FasTrak] – includes toll information on this and the other Bay Area toll facilities
• {{Structurae|20009344|Antioch Bridge (1926)}}
• {{Structurae|20009345|Antioch Bridge (1978)}}

{{Crossings navbox

| structure = Crossings

| place = San Joaquin River

| bridge = Antioch Bridge

| bridge signs = File:California 160.svg

| upstream = Various crossings due to the numerous tributaries, canals, and lakes of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

| downstream = Benicia-Martinez Bridge

| downstream signs = File:I-680 (CA).svg

}}

{{San Francisco Bay watershed}}

Category:Bridges in the San Francisco Bay Area

Category:Road bridges in California

Category:Plate girder bridges

Category:Toll bridges in California

Category:Bridges completed in 1930

Category:Bridges completed in 1978

Category:Bridges in Contra Costa County, California

Category:Bridges in Sacramento County, California

Category:Antioch, California

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Category:Plate girder bridges in the United States