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The Bay Bridge is aging faster than many realize
Opened in November 1936, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is nearly 90 years old. Maintaining reliability requires ongoing maintenance, including steel painting, joint repairs, and regular inspection of the west span’s suspension cables.
Caltrans and the Bay Area Toll Authority also plan lifecycle projects, such as replacing fender systems that protect bridge piers. These investments help keep traffic moving safely.
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Maintenance costs are climbing across the region
The Bay Bridge is not alone in needing attention. Six other state-owned bridges face similar aging infrastructure challenges, and the costs of materials, labor, and long-term rehabilitation continue to rise.
Transportation officials say these bridges cannot be maintained on past budgets alone. As uncomfortable as it may be, commuters are being asked to help cover the growing cost of keeping the region connected.
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January brings the first toll increase for drivers
On January 1, 2026, tolls on the Bay Area’s seven state-owned bridges increase by 50 cents, raising the standard two-axle rate from $8.00 to $8.50. This is the first step in a five-year schedule of annual increases that runs each January through 2030…