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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 Celebration is scheduled for Saturday November 15th. The Bridge will open for traffic on Sunday November 16th.See below for more details.
"Grand Opening Celebration Event Schedule"
The following information is a rough outline of what to expect. Please check
back weekly for updates on the following:

              The Event Schedule               Frequently Asked Questions
              Parking/Street Closures        Directions / Maps
            Fireworks                                 And More...
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.

Grand Opening Event Schedule
The following is a general outline for the November 15th Opening Celebration.
More details will posted soon.

There will be parking at Curtola Parkway in Vallejo and in Selby.
11:00 Shuttle service begins from parking to the north approach to the bridge
1:00 Speeches
2:15 Ribbon cutting
2:15 Parade, vintage cars, marching bands, bridge workers, committees, public
4:30 Close the bridge to pedestrians
5:00 Have all pedestrians cleared
6:00 Firework show
6:30 Bring up the bridge lights

Striping will begin after the celebration the span will open for traffic on the
16th.
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 park 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. 		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!
Fundraisers For Fireworks
Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge Celebration Cruise
Dinner, Dance and Cruise with the Blue and Gold Fleet has changed to Thursday, Nov 13 at 6:00pm,. departing from the Vallejo Marina. Tickets are $100 each or $175 per couple.


See flyer at bottom of page
 Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge
Celebration Auction/Live Music/Dancing
Friday, October 24th
This fundraiser will be held at Vallejo Elks Lodge #559. The location is 2850 Redwood Parkway in Vallejo. Appetizers and no-host cocktails will be from 6-7pm. The auction begins at 7pm sharp. You don't have to be an Elks club member to attend this function. A 2003 100th Anniversary Harley-Davidson 1200Motorcycle will be Auctioned off along with:art, wine, champagne, gold coins, toys, sports memorabilia, leather jacket and more...
See flyer at bottom of page

 Spanning The Strait:
      Building the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge
  Book  by local Author John Robinson
Visit this website for purchasing information
The Official Radio Station
for the Event
Simulcast program to coincide
with the fireworks show.

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.Photos
More Photos

We Need Volunteers
 Please join us for the next meeting, Oct 22, 6:00pm, at the California Maritime Academy. Get there early and walk around. The view is worth the trip. See the bottom of this page for directions.


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.
Update
A Tower Raffle is almost ready, three winners plus guest will get to go up the Tower! Second prize is a year’s worth of FasTrak . Tickets $5.00


Aerial View Map
of Celebration
under construction

Great News!
 The Crockett Community Foundation has donated $50,000 to the fireworks fund, a vital part of the opening day celebration.


This Sounds Sweet
 C&H Sugar Company is donating a custom sugar packet featuring our bridge logo! Sugar will be distributed to local restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, as well as clubs and organizations.


The Symphony Where ?
The John Swett P.T.S.A. and the Crockett Community Foudation are bringing the Oakland Symphony back to Crockett. Saturday November 8, 7:00-9:00pm.    
Tickets are $15.00 and may be purchased at the following locations:
Weekdays at the Crockett Community Center
Saturdays from 9-12pm in front of Solyluna
Look for the booth at the October 4th Festival
for more info. call Katherine Monroy 787-2414 or Litia Bohlig 787-3185

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 in the surrounding bridge area to make arrangements for their animals, due to the fireworks noise.




 


Click here for more cruise ticketing information
 
Saturday November 8th
The Grand Opening Celebration of
The Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge

The day will begin with a chain cutting ceremony attended by Governor Gray Davis. The General Public is invited to walk across the Bridge from Vallejo to Crockett. A street fair will take place in Crockett, then the biggest fireworks show on the Bay since the 50th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, and finally, the lighting of the bridge.

The bridge will possibly open to automobile traffic the following day.





Photos by Bob Cummings of Vacaville
Schedule of Events
Times May be Subject To Change

  8:00AM    Street Closures begin in Crockett
10:00AM    Street Fair Open to Public
11:00AM    Free Shuttle Bus Service Begins
  1:00PM    Celebration, Speeches and Ribbon
                    Cutting Begins at North Tower
  2:00PM    Parade and Public Walk Begins
                 Parade includes 4 High School Bands,
                  Vintage Cars, Bridge Workers and Floats
  2:00PM-5:30PM Speakers and Music at Main Plaza
                  Stage in Downtown Crockett
  4:30PM   Bridge Closed to Pedestrians
  5:30PM   Crockett Street Fair closes
  6:00PM   Fireworks Show Begins
  6:30PM   Bridge Lighting
  7:30PM   Shuttle service ends (1 hour after
                   fireworks completion)
  7:30PM   Oakland Symphony Concert (start time                    delayed to 7:30 pm)

Roads reopen after Celebration






Parking Information:
Free Parking and Shuttle at Selby Lot (Site of Old Selby Refinery) and at the Curtola Parkway Park'n'Ride Lot in Vallejo. Free Shuttle Service for Pedestrians in Crockett at Pomona & Vista Del Rio.
To get to the Grand Opening Festivities we recommend that you drive and park in Selby Lot or the Curtola Park'n'Ride and take a free shuttle. Also, if walking, you can catch a bus at Pomona & Vista Del Rio

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 park 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 Cummings 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.

Plan ahead. With street closures and crowds, we suggest you allow plenty of time to get to your destinations.

From San Francisco/Oakland

To Crockett parking (primary lot)
Take interstate 80 east toward Sacramento
Exit at Cummings Skyway and turn left at light
Follow Cummings Skyway west to San Pablo Ave.
Turn left on San Pablo Ave. and follow signs to main parking area

From Sacramento

To Vallejo parking (limited number of spaces)
Take interstate 80 west toward San Francisco/Oakland
Exit at Curtola Parkway and proceed to Lemon street
Turn left on Lemon street and follow signs to Curtola Parkway park and ride lot

To Crockett parking (primary lot)
Take interstate 80 west towards San Francisco/Oakland
Proceed across the Carquinez Bridge
Exit at Cummings Skyway and turn right
Follow Cummings Skyway west to San Pablo Ave
Turn left on San Pablo Ave and follow signs to main parking area



Shuttle Information
Motorcoach Routes		    
Shoreline Route
Shoreline Parking Lot

Park & Ride Route
Park & Ride Lot
Crockett Route
Local Residents' Route
Update 11/6
 		Boarding Location
Shoreline Parking Lot

Boarding Location
Curtola and Lemon

Boarding Location
First few hours at bridge on ramp to vallejo then at Merchant/S.P. Ave. (across from dead fish)

Shoreline Route

Park & Ride Route

Crockett Route
11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
   
Road Closure Information:
The road will be closed between San Pablo Avenue at Cummings Skyway through Pomona at Second Street, from 8:00AM to 7:30PM. Main access to Crockett will be via Cummings Skyway and Crockett Blvd.



Access to Valona will be at Second & Pomona. Access to Vista Del Rio will be via Cummings Skyway to San Pablo Avenue. Security personnel will allow access at west side of Vista Del Rio. (There will be no access to the Dead Fish Restaurant or to the east side of Vista Del Rio.)

   
   
Fireworks Vista Points:
The Fireworks display takes place on barges west of the power lines near the Dead Fish Restaurant and also just east of the Carquinez Bridges. The primary viewing area is the Selby Lot or any Crockett hill with a view of the Carquinez Straits and Alfred Zampa Bridge.

Remember: It will be dark after the firework show.		 Fireworks Music Simalcast
Music is simulcast on radio station KUIC 95.3 FM. Tune in for great show!
PA systems will be broadcasting the show from Dead Fish and Selby Site.
MORE VALUABLE INFORMATION or UPDATES
George Miller will attend the Ceremony

See above: Bus from Downtown Crockett to Vallejo has different pick up point.

After 4:30 pm you will not be able to cross back over the bridge on foot.

Caltrans has a book about the bridge they will be selling. 5000 thousand copies printed.

The Street Fair will have 3 bands.

The Raffle will be announced at the Street Fair Stage located and 2nd and Pomona at 4:00pm.

Booths are still available.

A Bridge Calendar is hot of the press and will be sold at the festival. only a thousand were made.

Gold and Silver coins are now avaiable for order. Silver is presently sold out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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