A Lifeline for the Bay Area’s Economical Future
Project Profile: San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge West Span Revitalization and Innovation Project
The Bay Area’s Iconic San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge West Span gets a major overhaul
Crossing the San Francisco Bay via Yerba Buena Island, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) is one of the busiest bridges in the nation. Specifically, the 88-year old WEst Span portion of the bridge stands as the oldest and most iconic bridge in the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) and Caltrans portfolio. The 3.9-mile long SFOBB plays a vital role in supporting the Bay Area workforce, taking on 1.5 times more vehicles per lane than any other bridge in the Bay Area.
Given its significance, maintaining the SFOBB in a state of good repair is of utmost importance to the region. In 2023, it was decided that the West Span was finally due for an upgrade. Dubbed the “SFOBB West Span Revitalization and Innovation Project,” the objective was to enhance the longevity and functionality of the bridge.
The proposed measures include restoring the protective coating of the steel bridge and replacing the fender system. The SFOBB is currently rated as “fair condition,” and this project would prevent deterioration into a “poor condition.”
The development team consisted of BATA, which funded the project, and Caltrans, which engineered and acted as the project’s administrator. These two have been longstanding partners and work together to upkeep with the maintenance of the seven California-owned bridges located in the Bay Area.
Keeping the Bay Bridge in a state of good repair ensures safe passage for people and goods between San Francisco and all points east across the Bay.” – Ray Woo, BATA Program Coordinator
Specifically, the Structure Maintenance and Investigation team, along with engineers and maintenance crew from Caltrans, gets sent out to ensure that bridges are in proper functioning condition. Their duties include thoroughly inspecting, evaluating, recommending necessary work, designing and repairing the bridges.
Caltrans is committed to ensuring that its maintenance projects stick to strict environmental standards while balancing design, safety and cost-effectiveness. The SFOBB paint protocol involves removing all existing lead-based coatings and replacing them with a lead-free, four-coat system. This waterborne paint is formulated for use as a prime coat on abrasive blast-cleaned metal surfaces exposed to the air. Workers will be complying with stringent safety standards to minimize lead exposure for workers and the environment including wearing specialty protective equipment and enclosing the work areas.
Additionally, Caltrans and MTC-BATA have put forth extensive resources to develop a comprehensive plan for replacing the bridge’s fender system in proper fashion. The design process follows the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Guide Specifications and Commentary for Vessel Collision Design of Highway Bridges, supplemented with PIANC Guidelines for the Design of Fender Systems.
When it comes to the lighting on the structure, half the West Span lower deck lighting is non-operational. This project intends to replace high pressure sodium (HPS) vapor light fixtures with cutting-edge, energy-efficient LED fixtures. Since the lifespan of LED lights is three to five times longer than HPS lights, less maintenance will reduce the risk of potential accidents for workers in the field. Generally speaking, most LED lights have a minimum rated lifespan of 50,000 hours, with many going beyond this under ideal operating conditions.
There are a number of aspects the development team was especially proud of for this project, including the enhancement of safe access to jobs in the Bay Area. One example includes access to the Port of Oakland.
The Port provides 84,000 union jobs and is one of the four largest ports on the west coast. In 2023, over two million containers passed through the port. The SFOBB provides access to port jobs by passenger vehicle and transit. Shipping vessels moving in and out of the Port of Oakland must also pass under the SFOBB, increasing the importance of maintaining the bridge for the benefit of commuters as well as the nation’s supply chain.
Another example is Treasure Island. With 24,000 residents and 2,800 jobs planned by 2035, San Francisco’s newest neighborhood represents a new destination that the SFOBB will make accessible. A Class I bikeway encircling the island and 280 acres of open space are being developed, which will tie into the San Francisco Bay Trail, an active transportation network connecting San Francisco to Oakland via the SFOBB.
As work continues on the SFOBB, the project is a priority for the team as well as the upcoming state of good repair and rehabilitation work on other toll bridges. Currently investigations of the West Span SFOBB main cable are underway, unwrapping and wedging it to determine the conditions and any necessary repairs or maintenance strategies to extend the life of this significant infrastructure. Construction began in 2023 and is expected to be complete by 2032.
