Observation Pier
Old Bridge and New Pier
As you walk onto the pier before you, constructed in 2019, you are stepping onto a piece of transportation history. This pier is built upon two pylons that supported the original San Francisco Bay Bridge near the merging of land and water.
The Bay Bridge opened in 1936, a marvel of human engineering that provided an incredibly important artery for Bay Area transportation. On October 17, 1989 during the Loma Prieta Earthquake, a portion of the upper deck of the bridge's eastern span collapsed, providing a wake-up call that a new earthquake-safe eastern span was needed. The new bridge opened in 2013 after 11+ years of construction and $6.5 billion spent.
Caltrans finished the deconstruction of the old bridge in late 2017. Many agencies collaborated in the decision to save the last two pylons and build an observation pier at little additional cost, while providing unique access to the Bay for the public.
Walking uphill, consider the planning involved to construct this pier to withstand many decades of sea level rise. The ornamental steel at the entrance to the pier is from
this page online
Erected 2020 by East Bay Regional Parks District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 37° 49.289′ N, 122° 19.762′ W. Marker is in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. Marker can be reached from Burma Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oakland CA 94607, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Crossing the San Francisco Bay (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Oakland - San Francisco Bay Bridge (about 600 feet away); USS Oakland Mast (approx. 1.1 miles away); Rear Admiral R.J. "Bear" Arnold, U.S.N. (approx. 1.1 miles away); USS Oakland CL-AA 95 (approx. 1.2 miles away); John "Alex" Alexander (approx. 1.3 miles away); Training Wall (approx. 1.4 miles away); Western Pacific Mole (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.
More about this marker. The marker is located within the Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline Park (opened October 2020). From the parking lot off of Burma Road, the marker is at least a 5-7 minute walk. There is an access road that brings one closer to the marker and pier, but no nearby parking.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
