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Greetings in a Big Way:
Bridge Engineers Install Oversized Wreath on Bay Bridge Tunnel Portal

Photos above by Karl Nielsen

Historic 1937 photo provided by the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

December 2011
The region’s bridge folks are delivering a little unexpected holiday cheer to Bay Area travelers in the form of a giant wreath recently installed above the westbound portal of the Yerba Buena Island tunnel on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The inspiration for this contemporary wreath was one placed in this same spot 74 years ago, in December of 1937. On December 23 of that year, the Oakland Tribune ran a photograph of a woman standing on a bow inside the wreath, and reported that the 36-foot circumference wreath was made from California redwood branches and was tied by red bows that were eight feet wide and four feet long.

This year’s garland, which is 12-foot, 8-inches in diameter and has a 40-foot circumference, is slightly larger than the 1937 version and is made from four-inch-long artificial pine needles so as to be reusable in future years. The wreath is decorated with a red bow and white lights which illuminate at night. The wreath and bow together weigh approximately 225 pounds.

The 1937 Oakland Tribune story ran with the headline “Greetings in a Big Way.” In 2011, bridge officials from the Bay Area Toll Authority and Caltrans wish Bay Area travelers the same.

Twas the night before, well, December 3rd, on the Bay Bridge East Span
And not a creature was stirring, not even a sedan.
The catwalks were hung from the new tower with care,
In hopes that before long the self-anchored cable would be there.

Toll takers were nestled all snug in their booths,
While visions of sugarplums tempted their tooths.
And Ma in her ‘kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled ourselves in for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the bridge there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the S-curve I flew like flash,
(Obeying the speed limit with a dash of panache.)

The moon on the surface of San Francisco Bay
Shone down through the water to the sedimentary clay,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a maintenance man-lift and a bridge engineer!

He was dressed all in orange, from his toes to his chest,
And over his gear, he wore a reflective work vest.
A huge holiday wreath he had stashed in his lift
And he looked like he planned to work through the night shift.

A tough yellow drill he held tight in his hand,
And the wreath was so big it was seen from Oak-land!
He extended the lift to the high tunnel portal
And the engineer turned and looked to me with a chortle.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And fastened that wreath, and turned with a jerk,
And laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up to Yerba Buena Island he rose.

He sprang to his truck, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, from a far traffic light,
“Happy holidays to all, and to all a good night.”

Happy holidays, from the Bay Area Toll Authority.

—Karin Betts, BATA Public Information Officer

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