Bridge is opportunity for future transit

By Arthur L. Lloyd

Completed in 1910 by Southern Pacific, the Dumbarton rail bridge was designed to expedite freight trains between San Francisco and East Bay cities as well as provide a more direct route to Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valley over Altamont Pass, the original entry to the San Francisco Bay area. Passenger service was not a primary goal of the new line and only lasted a short time up to World War I,. with one local round trip per day between Redwood City and Newark. The freight trains were marshalled at SP's extensive Bayshore Yard located on the county line between San Francisco and San Mateo and ran on the Peninsula route to Redwood Junction and then on to the bridge and Newark. Each night a "Trans-Bay Expediter" followed the last commuter train from San Francisco heading to West Oakland and returned before the first train in the morning.

As industries and shipping moved out of San Francisco, the need for the Bayshore Yard diminished. In the early 1960s, as many as four switch engines were busy making up trains in Bayshore Yard. By the late 1970s, there was need for only one or two daily freight trains. Southern Pacific sold Bayshore Yard, the roundhouse and shop facilities, and moved the remaining activity to South San Francisco where it is located today. A daily Union Pacific freight train dubbed the "Mission Bay" now trundles between South San Francisco and Santa Clara each night, following the last CalTrain and returning before the first run in the morning. A local freight train, called the "Broadway" also runs between Santa Clara and Redwood City each night doing local freight work and calling on the remaining industries on the Dumbarton Line in the West Bay.

In 1982 Southern Pacific placed the Dumbarton Line on inactive status, serving only the industries west and east of the bridge. The massive steel swing span was swung open and taken out of service. It is still tested and found to be operative. The trestle work, west of the span, burned in 1998, although it would have to be rebuilt for any future service.

As part of the sale of the San Francisco/San Jose commuter line to the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Southern Pacific also made available the Dunbarton Bridge and complete line from Redwood Junction (Redwood City) to Newark.d

The San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) put up the $9 million purchase price (the original price was much higher) and now owns the railroad, bridge, and right-of-way between Redwood Junction and Newark. Union Pacific provides switching for the remaining industries at Redwood City and East Menlo Park. Some switching is also done on the eastern shore at the salt plant.

Is there a future for passenger service on this line? Several entities, including the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA), SamTrans, Caltrain, Alameda County and others have been meeting to discuss this possibility. The instantly popular, and sold out, Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) trains presently go south from Newark to Santa Clara and San Jose. These trains, or new ones, could continue west to cross the Dumbarton rail bridge, go to Redwood Junction, then head south on the Caltrain line to more efficiently serve Silicon Valley cities. Projections have also shown a demand to continue ACE trains to San Francisco from the junction at Redwood City.

As Highways 205, 580 and 680 are increasingly congested, this alternate mode is practical and can be cost-effective and make use of increasingly higher fuel costs in a more efficient way. San Joaquin and Alameda counties should be interested in sharing the cost of re-building the Dunbarton rail corridor. Another factor is that San Mateo County now imports 80 percent of its labor force. In order to hold our industry base in San Mateo County the cost of commuting and convenience becomes more and more important. Recent serveys of Altamont commuter passengers indicate the majority are delighted to get away from driving and are able to use the time on the train for studying, reading, laptop computing, or, even sleeping.

Not only is the Dumbarton rail line a factor for the Altamont route but it can make commuting from the east side of San Francisco Bay to and from San Francisco and San Jose much easier, without the present rush-hour hassle and back-up of the Dumbarton Bridge on both sides of the bay. This rail corridor has great possibilities if the necessary funds can be secured to rebuild the bridge.

Remember, one rail line can carry the equivalent of eight freeway lanes and uses a lot less real estate to do so. And it costs less.