Benicia-Martinez Bridge’s History

Standing on the shoulders of giants

As a Benicia resident for over 15 years and a lover of history, I have taken a strong interest in learning more about my lovely, small city that I am proud to call home. While I have learned a lot about its history over the years, I recently started learning more about the Benicia-Martinez Bridge—which most Benicians simply call the “Benicia Bridge”—but the first thing that everyone should be clear on is that the Benicia-Martinez Bridge actually refers to the three bridges that link Solano and Contra Costa counties together (Benicia and Martinez, respectively) across the Carquinez Strait.

Before I discuss any of the two vehicle bridges, however, I want to give you some history about the oldest of the three bridges: the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge, also called the Benicia-Martinez Rail Drawbridge. Workers started the big cantilever project back in 1928 and finished it in 1930. Workers built this long, 5,620-foot railway bridge using a variety of structural span types—such as trussing, cantilevering, and metal riveting—as a part of the Southern Pacific Railroad (established in 1865). The bridge assisted in not only creating much-needed job opportunities during the wake of the Great Depression, but it also linked the two counties without the need of a train-ferry system.

Before there was a railroad bridge, Benicia had a train ferry called Solano, stationed at the bottom of First Street (the yellow building that is now See’s Candy). Solano would take train cars between Benicia and Port Costa (in service from 1879 to 1930); however, the train bridge’s completion made it much more convenient, as trains no longer had to stop to get on the ferry and experience the whole time-consuming and expensive process of taking the train cars apart.

The Union Pacific Railroad, after merging with the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1996, now owns the Benicia-Martinez Railroad Bridge. Its railway remains as the only train bridge to have tracks cross the bay in California. It is also the second-longest railway on the continent and holds the record for the longest railway bridge west of the Mississippi River.

Today, long freight trains and Amtrak trains frequent the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge (passenger trains include the short-haul Capitol Corridor trains and long-distance trains California Zephyr and Coast Starlight). While Amtrak does not stop in Benicia—something I have always wondered—it passes through, and folks can get an amazing view of the Strait when crossing the bridge this way. Taking a ride on Amtrak is really worth it for this experience alone (I used to really look forward to it while traveling to and from Davis as an undergraduate at UC Davis). Locals can hop on Amtrak at one of its nearby stations, namely in Martinez or Suisun.

Most know that the train bridge is in the middle of two vehicle bridges that are a part of I-680. The original vehicle bridge (now the I-680 southbound bridge) was built in 1962, formerly named the George Miller Jr. Bridge, and it was not until years later when the new bridge opened in 2007 (the I-680 northbound bridge, formerly named Congressman George Miller Benicia–Martinez Bridge).

Because, I didn’t know much about the new vehicle bridge’s construction, our very own Robert Briseño (one of the founders of Local Happenings Magazine) pointed me to John V. Robinson, an established author and teacher who wrote the book Building the Benicia-Martinez Bridge (2007), which closely shows his documented construction of the new Benicia-Martinez Bridge (the I-680 northbound bridge) through great images and insights. In addition to Robinson’s book about the new Benicia-Martinez Bridge, he has written a book on the Carquinez Bridge and the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge, and was even lucky enough to have met and interviewed the legendary bridge-builder, Alfred Zampa, in 1995.

I asked Robinson about the new Benicia vehicle bridge, starting with if he knows why it was constructed with cantilevering underneath the bridge, as opposed to being above it. “The construction of the new Benicia Bridge was very different from the Zampa Bridge or the New Bay Bridge,” he said. “Why Caltrans chose the cast-in-place cantilever design is a good question that I have never heard a good answer for. A suspension bridge, like the Golden Gate or the Zampa Bridge, would have been faster and cheaper, so … who knows what they were thinking?”

Wanting to know more, as one writer to another, I asked Robinson what inspired him to write the book. “Proximity and luck,” he expressed. “They built a bridge here in Crockett, so I started photographing it. Then I met some guys from the Benicia Bridge project and they invited me to photograph that bridge, too. This is in 2003, early on in the construction. After I made my first book, the contractor at Benicia wanted the same for that bridge, so I started researching the bridges around here and produced that book.”

I also asked about Robinson’s views about the new bridge. “The new bridge was expensive and took a long time to complete,” Robinson said, “but the sleek design makes driving across it seem like flying.” If you drive on the new bridge, then you will surely know the feeling.

The California Transportation Journal (2008) elaborates, “The new Interstate 680 crossing of the Carquinez Strait between Contra Costa and Solano counties has numerous advancements over the 1962 version. The incredible complexity of the $1 billion project is hidden in the bridge’s sleek elegance.” The bridge’s sleek road provides a smoother ride with the added benefit of better gas mileage that commuters can especially appreciate. Also, the new bridge has five lanes, all going in one direction—immensely helping traffic flow, while the original vehicle bridge (now I-680 southbound) used to have two-way traffic.

Aside from the $5 bridge toll that remains — which folks can automatically pay with FasTrak to avoid toll lines — the vehicle bridges are great, especially with their new, much-needed 2007 additions that replaced their 1962 predecessors.

One of my favorite additions is the Benicia-Martinez Bridge Vista Point, a little park for picnicking and sightseeing. Vista Point can be easy to miss for newcomers; it’s slightly hidden on hilly terrain within the I-680/I-780 intersection complex on the Benicia side of the Strait (look for the freeway sign). Because of its scenic views of the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, Carquinez Strait, Mothball Fleet (aka the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet), Mount Diablo, and so forth—Vista Point is definitely worth bringing the family or a date to. Of course, a camera and binoculars are recommended.

However, the best addition, in my opinion, is the pedestrian and bike road—safely fenced to the right of the southbound vehicle bridge—that is accessible off of Park Road in Benicia or Mococo Road in Martinez, though be very careful on Mococo Road because of fast cars, trucks, trains (i.e., bring a friend). I highly recommend experiencing the Benicia-Martinez Bridge outside of a car at least once—which can be included in a long run or bike ride—to really notice the beautiful, panoramic view of Benicia, the Carquinez Bridge, Alfred Memorial Bridge, and the Strait while hearing the soothing train horns that reverberate on the water. As a challenge, try to see if you can spot Port Costa, indicated by the rooftops that are tucked in the green rolling hills that outline Martinez.

To learn more, read John V. Robinson’s Building the Benicia-Martinez Bridge (2007).

Enjoy a ride on Amtrak. Get tickets at amtrak.com.

You can also visit the Caltrans website at dot.ca.gov.

By James Quinn

James Quinn lives in Benicia and teaches at Elmer Cave Language Academy in Vallejo. A UC Davis alumnus in English, he now studies education as part of Touro University’s Master’s in Education program. Along with teaching, he tutors and writes often. He is working on a novel that takes place in Benicia. See his website at mrquinnj.weebly.com.

Domaine Chandon

Drinking in the Good Life.

Domaine Chandon, the world-famous producer of sparkling wine, began in Argentina. However, for nearly 45 years, it has become a pillar in the Napa Valley, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to its Yountville tasting center. It was created by two heavyweights in the distilled spirits and champagne industries, respectively: Hennessy and Moët & Chandon, under the leadership of Count Robert-Jean de Vogue. They joined forces to form Domaine Chandon in 1960, opening their first winery in Argentina. Then, the Count met a passionate, up-and-coming businessman named Jon Wright who was looking to make a splash in the California wine industry. He convinced de Vogue to move to the Napa Valley to set up vineyards on Mount Veeder and Carneros. In 1973—more than 200 years after Moët & Chandon was established in Epernay, France—Domaine Chandon officially became the first French-owned sparkling wine producer to set up a venture in the United States. Its owners point out that, “At that time, Napa Valley was relatively unknown as a wine region. The investment of Moët & Chandon captured the world’s attention and changed the course of history for Napa Valley.”

In 1977, four years after its foundation, Domaine Chandon opened up its iconic Yountville tasting center, which offers a pristine view of the Napa Valley. It has remained a powerhouse here since then, and shows no signs of stopping.

“First and foremost, I would say our sparkling wine is really what differentiates us from most wineries in Napa,” Pauline Lhote, Head Winemaker at Chandon said. She later added, “The pioneering spirits of de Vogue and Wright have guided Domaine Chandon through the years.”

Sparkling wines are off the beaten path, even in Napa Valley, but if you’re new to them, don’t fret. Domaine Chandon’s visitor center is tailored to everyone from those new to wine tasting, to the seasoned wine connoisseur.

“Often times, people assume sparkling wine is only to toast to a special occasion, but that’s hardly the case. Chandon pairs brilliantly with a variety of cuisine,” Lhote said. “Take Chandon Rosé, for example. It’s one of my favorite wines to pair with a delicious hamburger.”

The folks at Domaine Chandon make things easy for you. Their website contains an easy-to-use guide with pairing suggestions that allows users to select the food they’re about to eat and receive a recommendation for a varietal of fine wine. There is even a section to enter in your current surroundings—so if you’re in couch potato mode at home, or watching Fourth of July fireworks from a city rooftop, Domaine Chandon has a sparkling wine for you. If you want to give it a shot, go to www.chandon.com/quiz.

They’ve also got cocktail recipes that include Domaine Chandon products, and even recipes for meals that go well with their wines. Like we said, they make it easy for you! Lhote even offered us one of her own pairing secrets.

“Craving something spicy? Try it with Chandon Sweet Star, you won’t be disappointed!” she said.

Lhote, a highly acclaimed winemaker who recently completed her 11th harvest, came to sparkling wine through a background in Champagne. She decided she wanted to be a Champagne producer at a young age, but became a consulting winemaker in 2005, and learned to straddle the fence between the two worlds. In 2006, she signed a three-month contract with Domaine Chandon, came to the Napa Valley, and fell in love with it. She has been here ever since.

The tasting room in Yountville is Domaine Chandon’s only visitor center in the United States, but their sparkling wines are well known worldwide. Including Domaine Chandon California, there are six Domaine Chandon estates around the world: in Argentina, Brazil, India, China, and Australia.

“Each estate combines the French heritage with local character of new world innovations and experiences,” Lhote said. In Domain Chandon California’s case, that “local character” means acres of world-famous vineyards—literally Domaine Chandon’s backyard—which Lhote says gives the winery a big leg up.

The Yountville location stands out because of its vibrant gardens and its outdoor patio area, which offers a unique and incredible view of the beautiful valley that has become world-renowned for its winemaking.

“We are lucky to be situated right in the heart of the Napa Valley with  sprawling lawns for guests to relax and take in the view. Guests can enjoy a tasting, glass or bottle of wine in our tasting room, on our terrace and lawn, or in our lounge and patio,” Lhote said. “We try and create a welcoming environment that encourages people to relax and enjoy our wine.”

The Yountville visiting center offers regular tours of various parts of the winery, and has come up with some other fun experiences as well. They include a so-called “Cocktail 101″ hosted tasting, an amusing and interactive tasting where guests are taught about the history of sparkling wine and cocktails.

In recent years, local winemakers have had to carefully consider how every drop of water on their property is used. Domain Chandon came up with its own conservation program, reducing the use of chemicals, ensuring efficient irrigation, and making it a priority to try and help native species succeed.

Domaine Chandon wines blend the vibrancy of California fruit with the rich winemaking traditions of Moët & Chandon, Lhote said. Its winemakers use techniques that Chandon began developing centuries ago, and age the wines anywhere from one to seven years. The winery offers dozens of varietals that start at around $24 a bottle (or at $7 if you want to purchase a mini bottle), and of course have a range of red, white, and rose still wines as well.

“Our classic tier, accessible on and off premise and at our winery, showcases the freshness and fruitiness of California grapes,” Lhote said. “Our Reserve and vintage tiers, which are exclusive to our winery, use the highest quality fruit and is aged longer for more complexity, reflecting a more traditional style.  Our prestige cuvées, such as étoile, personify elegance, finesse and delicacy.”

Domaine Chandon has some great events, and at the time of publication had just wrapped up a summer festival over Memorial Day weekend—Chandon American Summer Fete—that featured local brunch vendors, a live DJ, fun pop-up stations and enough Chandon wine for everyone to taste. They’re currently gearing up for the winery’s annual Lobster & Bubbles event, which is offered for Domaine Chandon club members. Those lucky enough to go will get a first look at the next varietals Chandon has in store for release, Lhote said.

“It’s a fun, family style lobster-feed where we pour some of our latest and favorite releases,” she said.

Anyone who joins Club Chandon will receive six shipments a year at a 20 percent discount. They are sent in February, April, June, August, October and December, and if you order more than three cases, there is a 30 percent discounter. Club members also get access to special areas of the visitor center, a regular Chandon newsletter, and a complimentary glass of still or sparkling wine with every visit. That’s right, if you’re a club member, you and a friend get free wine just for dropping in. What an easy way to make friends!

Club members can choose between a sparkling-plus-still-wine and sparkling wine package. The packages come in 2-3 bottle sizes, and there is only a $5 difference, on average, between the sparkling and sparkling-plus-still packages. The average shipment cost is between $95 and $100. If you want to get wine shipped to your doorstep but don’t want to sign on to Club Chandon, you can order monthly special shipments online. June’s specials include a bottle of Chandon’s 2017 limited edition brut, their vintage 2012 Yountville brut, and their 2012 Vintage Mt. Veeder brut, as well as a 2012 pinot meunier.

Having been here for the better part of a half-century, Domaine Chandon makes sure to set aside money to support local organizations and events in the community each year. If you represent a local nonprofit or have a charity event in mind, email donation requests to donations@chandon.com.

Domaine Chandon California is located at 1 California Drive in Yountville. The tasting room is only closed four times a year: New Year’s Eve, Christmas, Christmas Eve, and Thanksgiving. The rest of the time they are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Reach them by calling (888) 242-6366 or by emailing clubchandonwine@chandon.com. Like them on Facebook at, facebook.com/chandonusa or follow them on Twitter @ChandonUSA. You can also find Domaine Chandon on Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr.

By Nate Gartrell

Nate Gartrell grew up in Benicia, studied journalism in college, and has written for a handful of media outlets since age 15. He aspires to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums and to hit the trifecta at the horse track. 

The Second Half

A few resources for senior citizens and active individuals over 50

Life is hard. I’m pretty sure we can all agree on that. But it can be even harder if you don’t have the ability to maintain a job or even go to the grocery store because, well, you’re old! Or you’re getting there, anyway, and that’s just how it goes. Fortunately, many of us are lucky enough to have friends and family who can provide care and assistance, but sometimes those needs can be a bit too much; a daily necessity which requires professional help. Here’s a look at some of the unsung heroes in our area who have dedicated themselves to providing assistance for our beloved senior citizens.

Meals on Wheels is a name that rings a bell in every household. They’ve been providing meals in Solano County since 1977 via home delivery or congregate sites. “We provide lunch every day at each city’s senior centers,” said Laurie Hartmann, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Solano County. “Those are for our folks that are a little more mobile and can get out and drive. The home delivery is really for the people that can’t drive or cook for themselves.”

Home delivery is what truly sets Meals on Wheels apart from the rest, and it’s exactly what it sounds like—Meals on Wheels will drive to the home of a senior in need, knock on their door, and deliver 1/3 of their daily nutrition with a friendly handoff. For some of these recipients, this moment is the highlight of their day. Hartmann tells us of a veteran who left his driver a voicemail that said, “Every day when you tell me I’ll see you tomorrow, that’s a reason for me to get up, because I know I’m going to see you.” Not every senior citizen has friends or family that they talk to every day. “It’s more than a meal that we’re giving them,” Hartmann adds. “We’re giving them friendship.”

All the meals provided are free, and they have over 100 volunteers in Solano County alone. They do have a staff that handles the administrative side of things—such as intake coordinators who go out to meet with people who want to start up a new service, making sure that they meet the qualifications. These coordinators also touch base with their clients once a quarter, alternating between seeing them in person and talking to them over the phone. They ask if there’s any health changes they should be aware of, if they’re in need of other resources, and just make sure everything’s okay in general.

Another truly wonderful facet of Meals on Wheels is that they provide a sense of security for not just the client, but for the client’s family as well. “They need to answer the door to get the food, so we know they’re okay,” said Hartmann. “If they don’t answer the door our drivers are calling the office immediately and then we’re calling their emergency contact numbers.” They have gone out to find people were deceased, or had fallen and nobody knew, so while the drivers for Meals on Wheels aren’t necessarily here to check up on their clients, they are indeed providing a sense of security by default.

While the meals are certainly free, donations are indeed accepted. “If they want to make a contribution they can, and we have many that do, but it isn’t required. They’ll get it no matter what,” said Hartmann. Funding is always a concern for organizations like Meals on Wheels, which go out of their way to do wonderful things for others simply for the sake of doing it. So if you have the means to donate or volunteer your time, please do. You can call them at (707) 425-0638 or visit their website at mealsonwheelssolano.org.

Occasionally, Meals on Wheels of America has mini grants available, and Meals on Wheels of Solano County just applied for one that would allow them to also provide pet food and medical care for some of their clients’ pets. It’s a small amount, only $2,500, so they’ll only be able to address those that are most in need, but it’s still something they hope to add to their services. “We know that if seniors don’t have money for food, they don’t have money to feed their pets either, or a means to get the food if they can’t get out,” said Hartmann. Still, Meals on Wheels goes every extra mile they can. “I think every driver has dog bones or cat treats in their car,” she adds. “We want to help the seniors more holistically if we can.”

One likeminded organization that utilizes Meals on Wheels is the Florence Douglas Center in Vallejo. It’s, “a positive place to relax, recharge, and reconnect for those 50+.” Meals on Wheels serves lunch here Monday-Friday from 11:45-1:00; keep in mind you must be signed up ahead of time, as it’s not open to just anyone! Seating begins at 11:30 a.m.

The Florence Douglas Center is all about promoting healthy, active living for people over 50 years young. “We are an activity center, not a live-in facility,” said Peter Wilson, Executive Director. “We are the only center for 50+ in Vallejo, and our activities encourage powerful aging.”

Such activities include traveling to Cache Creek Casino on August 8th, attending Santa Cruz Follies on September 15th, and even visiting Yosemite in October! Locally onsite, guests are invited to participate in a multitude of activities. Wednesdays are the big arts and crafts days. Guests are invited to participate in a wide range of classes which include crocheting, embroidery, knitting, quilling, quilting, woodcarving, and, if the time is right, pumpkin carving!

They offer plenty of exercise classes throughout the week as well with prices ranging from $3 per class to $15 per month, depending on what you choose. Such classes include Jazzercise Lite, International Line Dancing, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Zumba Gold. Other fun group activities include a wide variety of games like Canasta, Mahjong, puzzle tables, Nintendo Wii games, and more. You can also pay your dues to join one of their clubs with such niche groupings as Clown Connection, Napa-Solano Audobon Society, the Coin Club, Piecemakers Quilting, and, yes, more.

“Becoming involved in the activities at the center builds a support network as you begin to retire or relocate,” said Wilson. “If a person is close to retiring, is retired, or has lost a spouse, and is looking for a place to go to connect and stay active—the Florence Douglas Center can be that place.” If you know someone who could benefit from such a place, you can gift them a membership, and even go to the Center with them and participate in the activities yourself to help them acclimate to the new environment.

The times, they are a changin’, and the Florence Douglas Center is keeping right up! They offer a computer lab and iPad/iPhone classes to keep their participants current with technology, so if you have an older loved one who has asked you the same tech question maybe one too many times, this could be the solution you’ve been looking for.

Located at 333 Amador Street in Vallejo, if you live close enough to this facility and are someone, or know someone, who should get involved, might as well give it a shot! At such a low expense, you really have nothing to lose. You can call the Florence Douglas Center at (707) 643-1044 or visit their website at florencedouglasseniorcenter.org. If you don’t know how to visit that website, and you’re over 50 years old, please, call them ASAP and schedule a computer lab class!

There’s a smorgasbord of organizations out there that have dedicated themselves to doing good work in the community by offering assistance to our senior citizens. We wish we had space to list them all! Well, we could probably do that, but then you’d know nothing about them! So you know Meals on Wheels and the Florence Douglas Center pretty well by now (if that’s true … thanks for reading!), Faith in Action is another organization to whom we’d like to give an honorable mention.

Faith in Action is comprised of interfaith volunteer caregivers dedicated to providing non-acute, non-medical support services to homebound seniors. They do this either by linking them up with available resources, or matching them with trained volunteers. They’re all about improving quality of life for those individuals in need, and hope to help those receiving their care to remain independent, in their homes, and connected to their community. For more information call them at (707) 425-6164 or visit faithinactionsolano.org. They have offices in both Fairfield and Vacaville.

Meals on Wheels can also be found roaming around the counties of Napa (www.canv.org) and Contra Costa (www.mealsonwheelsofcontracosta.org) as well. Now that you’re perhaps a bit more aware that such senior care programs exist, there may be some pretty amazing resources right next door that could possibly change your life for the better! So look around, reach out to your community, and just get involved, get out there, and live life.

By Matt Larson

Larson is an actor/comedian/director from Vallejo who lives a double life between the Bay and LA. When he’s not writing for Local Happenings Magazine he could be editing a short film or working on his next rap album—who knows! Keep up with all things Larson at

www.MarsLegstrong.com.