New Vista Point Salutes Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and Public Shoreline Access

The Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee -- consisting of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA, which is run by MTC) and the California Transportation Commission -- in partnership with the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), today celebrated the official opening of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Vista Point, marking the completion of the Richmond-San Rafael Seismic Retrofit Project.

The space provides shoreline public access while protecting the sensitive environment of the San Francisco Bay. “This Vista Point was designed for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to enjoy picturesque views of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, the San Francisco Bay and Point Molate,” said Tony Anziano, Caltrans’ Toll Bridge Program Manager. The architecture of the pedestrian bridge, the handrails and the graceful curvature of the walls complement the aesthetics of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.

BCDC Vice-Chair Anne Halsted (who also serves as a commissioner for MTC and BATA) heralded the partnership among the agencies, saying it yielded one of the best mitigation projects ever performed between Caltrans and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission.

The 24,000 square foot, $1million project features a pedestrian bridge to conserve and protect the sensitive salt water marsh, a landscape featuring drought-tolerant plants, an ADA-compliant shoreline trail, rock-slope protection to minimize erosion to the Bay shoreline, a recreational area furnished with a picnic table and benches, new sidewalks, parking area for six vehicles, and a renewed bus stop area for Golden Gate Transit riders.

The Vista Point is located at the foot of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge landing, accessible via Francisco Blvd. in San Rafael. It is open to the public daily between dawn and dusk.