Bay Bridge during Construction (1935 and today)

In the steel framework of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge rose dramatically above San Francisco Bay as workers assembled one of the largest bridge projects of its time. Massive towers and suspension spans gradually took shape, connecting San Francisco to East Bay communities. Construction crews worked high above the water, installing steel beams and cables under challenging conditions. Barges and cranes filled the bay as materials were transported to the site. The project provided thousands of jobs during the Great Depression. When completed in 1936, the bridge revolutionized transportation across the region. Today, a modernized structure carries heavy commuter traffic daily. The skyline around it has grown dramatically over the decades. Evening lights now illuminate the span as a defining feature of the bayfront. The bridge remains both an engineering achievement and a vital transportation link.