Al Zampa Memorial Bridge Site, New Carquinez Bridge

The new Al Zampa Memorial Bridge across the Carquinez Strait in the San Francisco Bay is the first new suspension bridge built in the United States since 1973.
The new Carquinez Bridge opening is tentatively scheduled for November 8th or 9th (Sat/Sun).

Strait Swimmers
The Crockett Swim Team revitalized an old Crockett tradition of swimming the Carquinez Straits. This event is coinciding with the opening of the new bridge. The swim team was joined mostly by parents who swam the half mile 25 years ago. Swimmers were boated over to California Maritime Academy and swam back to the Crockett Bass Club. More Photos

What to Expect
The day will begin with political speeches, a ribbon cutting, and a bridge walk, all starting on the Vallejo side. Crockett and Contra Costa residents will be asked to take buses to the starting point. (Bus stops to be determined) You may ask why? Well, we must avoid the problems of the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, where participants began on both shores, meeting in the middle, and then froze. Caltrans requires a single direction walk for the first few hours. So, we begin in Vallejo and end up on the Crockett side, near The Dead Fish Restaurant.

Tower Tours
How many of you have asked Bart Ney, Caltrans Public Information Manager, about getting a trip up the tower??? Not available to the public? Well, we heard you and here's your chance!!!? The Carquinez Bridge Community Advisory Committee has offered us the use of a few passes up the Tower and to raise funds for the fireworks, we're planning a Tower Raffle. More details shortly, stay posted on our website or call the Crockett Chamber at 787-1155.

Testing the Currents
The Crockett Swim team is going to resurrect the Strait Swim, a twenty year old tradition, with a swim across the Straits. Affectionately called the Zampa Bridge Strait Swim, it will take place on Sept 13th, 11:00 am,at the Crockett Bass Club. What a great way to celebrate the opening of the new Al Zampa span. (And, special thank to the Crockett Striped Bass Club for their support!).

Fireworks
The Bridge Celebration Fireworks Extravaganza will begin at twilight, around 6:00pm. Using barge(s) and perhaps the bridge deck and tower(s), we will light up the sky! If ever there was a time to invite your family and friends for a visit, this is it!

Parking
Big crowds are expected, and we'd like to thank the folks at Conoco-Phillips. They are allowing us to park cars on the Selby site, just behind the John Swett District Office in Selby. We estimate that we can part up to 4000 cars there, relieving the congestion in town.
Safety is critical to a successful party, and so traffic will be diverted: most likely San Pablo will be closed (except to residents) from the stoplight at Cummins and Highway 40 all the way to the Dead Fish. This will allow us to use the roadway for booths, stages, and for fireworks viewing.

Bridge Speakers
In addition to all the event plans, it's my pleasure to tell you about our Speakers Bureau. Featuring a great group of volunteers, including the Contra Costa Toastmasters, the Speakers Bureau can share the rich history and science of our Carquinez Bridges through fascinating power-point presentations. They will speak, free of charge, to both adult groups and to children. For a booking, please contact Joe Silva at: jos_2010@yahoo.com, or (925) 676-6890.

Note to Pet Owners:
We are encouraging pet owners to make arrangements for their animals, due to the fireworks noise.