why the drawbridge went up

I'm usually amused when I see why a drawbridge has gone up.  Small sailboats like this, with their not so tall masts, have a lot of power while tootling along the estuary.  This is the Fruitvale Bridge which also has a railroad track section that can be be lowered when a train wants to cross the estuary.  (Visible at the top of the photo).  Versatile bridge, no?

Fruitvale Railroad Bridge

The Fruitvale Railroad Bridge spans the Estuary from Oakland to the island town of Alameda (on the right).  To my eye it looks like a 1930s construction but it was actually built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1951.  It's a vertical lift bridge with railroad tracks on it that is lowered into position when trains need to cross the estuary.  The Miller-Sweeney Bridge it the drawbridge next to it that carries car traffic.  It was designed to raise to full height it only 66 seconds.  The truth is that locals  call them both the Fruitvale Bridge.  Bridge fans will be happy to know there is a website for the bridges!  For a picture of the bridge drawn up, go here.

ABC Wednesday: P is for Park Street bridge

You've seen this bridge before here and here.  But I don't think you've seen it with the road bed up.  This bridge was built in the late 1930s and still works really well.  Today a small sailboat with a tall mast stopped traffic.  Visit more "P" posts at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday meme.

Sunday Bridge Series: Park Street bridge

This is a long view of the Park Street bridge that I've previously shown you here, here, and here.   this is one of a number of drawbridges on the estuary that runs into the bay.  The green frog on the far right advertises a restaurant that offers a happy hour mai tai at a cheap price.  For more bridge photos, visit «Louis'» meme, the Sunday Bridge Series.

Skywatch Friday: view from a bridge

Late afternoon from the High Street bridge looking southeast.  The Oakland side of the estuary is on the left and Alameda boat slips are on the right.  This is our typical sky once the fog burns off and before the fog rolls back in.  I know, quit whining.  Right?  For more sky shots, visit Skywatch Friday.

Sunday Bridge Series: Fruitvale Bridge

Work is being done on the Fruitvale Bridge which crosses the estuary to Alameda.  For some reason the road bed is up for an undetermined amount of time.  It's quite a sight.  For other bridges around the globe, visit «Louis'» bridge meme.  If you have a bridge photo of your own, come join us.

urban creek

This is Glen Echo Creek where it surfaces in Adams Park along side the Veterans Memorial Building across from Lake Merritt.  I've driven past this intersection (Grand and Harrison) a zillion times never realizing this little strip of green contains a stream.  It's startling to find such a country scene in the middle of a high traffic zone.  The creek runs down from the hills, every so often popping up above ground for a few blocks, before it goes underground again.  This engineered channel contains the creek for a block or so until it goes under Grand Avenue.  But before it goes underground, it flows under this old timey-looking bridge.  You see where I'm going with this, right?  A reflection and a bridge can only mean that I'm submitting this photo to two memes this weekend.  For more reflections and bridges from around the world, please visit James' Weekend Reflections and «Louis'» Sunday Bridge Series.  And have a great weekend.

ABC Wednesday: P is for Park Street Bridge

Can't help myself; it's the Park Street Bridge again.  There's something about the color and silhouette that keeps calling me back.  This time we even have pedestrians perambulating the path across the bridge.  Visit ABC Wednesday for other "P" subjects from around the world.

Sunday Bridge Series: High Street Bridge

This is the High Street Bridge, one of three bridges connecting Oakland to the island community of Alameda.  (There's also the Posey Tube that goes under the Estuary to Alameda).  This drawbridge has a similar design to the Park Street Bridge, although it was built four years later (1939).  See other bridge photos, hosted weekly by San Francisco Bay DP.

Theme Day: Red

At the end of Shoreline Park is a short pier jutting out into the bay. It seems to have been designed specifically for fishing.  This photo was taken from that spot yesterday.  This is the Oakland Bay Bridge, built in less that 4 years and inaugurated in 1936.  It is a double deck bridge with SF bound traffic on the top level.  The better known Golden Gate Bridge was completed seven months later.  Both are engineering marvels.  A fascinating account of the construction of both bridges can be found in High Steel published in 1979.  For more theme day photos Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

the Park Street bridge

The Park Street bridge which links Oakland to Alameda.  View other Sunday bridge photos at San Francisco Daily Photo.

Weekend Reflection: grain elevators in Oakland?

Almost, but not quite.  This is the ConAgra flour making plant situated on the Estuary near the Park Street Bridge.  One of several industries still located on the Estuary.  The area is slowly being transformed by the condos that are being built along the water.  This view is looking northwest towards Jack London Square and a more formal marina.  For other Weekend Reflections, click here.

Weekend Reflection: two Oakland bridges

A view of the Fruitvale Bridge from the Park Street Bridge.  As you can see, the Estuary still has some industry along its shore.  But the water is always beautiful to look at.  For more Weekend Reflections, click here.

Weekend Reflection: Park Street Bridge to Oakland

It had been pouring rain for a few hours and then suddenly it stopped.  This puddle on the bridge's pedestrian path reflects the still cloudy sky and the iron structure of this drawbridge.  Built in 1935, it is one of the four bridges that crosses the Estuary and connects Alameda to Oakland.  For more worldwide Weekend Reflections, click here.

Skywatch Friday: gray skies

Nothing to watch in this Skywatch.  It was gray overcast all day.  Yuck.  And wouldn't you know it, the skies cleared at dusk and the stars are now shining.  This is a photo of the Fruitvale Bridge to Alameda.  Alameda is a small island community bordered by the waters of the estuary and the Bay.  There are four (draw) bridges and one underwater tunnel to Alameda from Oakland.  It's quite amusing to see a bridge draw up and stop traffic for a little putt-putting boat with a tall mast.  For other Skywatch photos, click here.