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Press Releases

Media Advisory

New Carquinez Bridge Opening Celebration

For Release: November 6, 2003

CONTACT:

Kena Hudson, Caltrans, 510.286.6120
Randy Rentschler, MTC/BATA, 510.817.5780

WHAT:

Opening ceremony, bridge walk and fireworks to celebrate completion of the new Carquinez Bridge (Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge). Includes plaque presentation to Zampa family and "chain cutting" to symbolize opening of new bridge. (The new span has been named in honor of the late Alfred Zampa, a local ironworker who worked on the original 1927 Carquinez Bridge, its parallel 1958 span, and four other Bay Area bridges.)

WHEN:

Saturday, November 8, 2003

MEDIA CHECK-IN AND CREDENTIALING FOR LIVE TELEVISION TRUCKS BEGINS AT 8 A.M. OTHER MEDIA MAY CHECK IN LATER. (REPORTERS, PLEASE PARK IN THE VIP PARKING AREA AND PICK UP YOUR PRESS PASS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO CEREMONY SITE. SEE DIRECTIONS BELOW.)

1 p.m. – Opening ceremony
2 p.m. – Parade and bridge walk
6 p.m. – Fireworks and bridge lighting

Note: New westbound span is scheduled to be ready for commute traffic the following Monday, Nov. 10, 2003.

WHERE:

Vallejo side of the Carquinez Bridge

(The public is encouraged to take advantage of free parking in Crockett – prime viewing spot for the fireworks display – and free bus shuttles to and from designated parking areas. More details may be found at <www.dot.ca.gov/dist4> and at <www.mtc.ca.gov>.)

WHO:

  • Gray Davis, Governor, State of California
  • George Miller, Member, U.S. House of Representatives
  • Jeff Morales, Director, California Department of Transportation
  • Steve Kinsey, Chair, Metropolitan Transportation Commission/Bay Area Toll Authority
  • Zampa family


Other invited speakers include:

  • Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator
  • Wesley Chesbro, state Senator
  • Tom Torlakson, state Senator

DIRECTIONS:

From San Francisco/Oakland: Take Interstate 80 east toward Sacramento. Proceed across the Carquinez Bridge and stay to the right, through the toll plaza. Exit at Sonoma Boulevard/State Route 29 and veer left under Interstate 80 onto Sonoma Boulevard. At first intersection, turn left onto Maritime Academy Drive, at the street closure. Follow Maritime Academy Drive to the California Maritime Academy. Follow signs to VIP parking area.

From Sacramento: Take Interstate 80 toward San Francisco/Oakland. Exit Maritime Academy Drive and proceed straight across State Route 29. Follow Maritime Academy Drive to the California Academy. Follow signs to VIP parking area.

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