A Southern Pacific passenger train heads east across the Benicia–Martinez Bridge. Built between 1928 and 1930, the lift-bridge spans the waterway between Martinez and Benicia northeast of San Francisco. Prior to the railroad bridge's opening in 1930, the railroad used a ferry between Benicia and Port Costa, California. The ferry, built at Oakland, California in 1879 and named the Solano, was the world's largest train ferry. In 1914, a second ferry named the Contra Costa was built. The ferries ended service in 1930 with the completion of the railroad bridge. This view is no longer possible because of the parallel I-680 bridge. And, just like today, I got investigated by the sheriff for taking this image ... Some things never change!
