Transportation Authority Chair and Metropolitan Transportation Commissioner Myrna Melgar recently visited Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island to view the latest projects that the Transportation Authority is leading to rebuild roadway and ramp connections to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
Under the leadership of Deputy Director for Capital Projects Carl Holmes, the Transportation Authority is delivering a comprehensive infrastructure program of projects on behalf of the Treasure Island Development Authority, and in partnership with Federal Highway Administration, California Transportation Commission, Caltrans, the Bay Area Toll Authority, US Coast Guard, and SFMTA, to support planned growth and development on the Islands.
The Transportation Authority has already completed two award-winning projects, the I-80 East Side Ramps Project (2016) and the Southgate Road Interchange Project (2023), as well as the scenic Vista Point on Yerba Buena Island (2017).
Three additional projects are currently under construction, and are expected to be completed, on-time and within budget, in 2026. They include:
The Westside Bridges Seismic Retrofit
This $124 million construction project seismically retrofits and rebuilds the road structures connecting the I-80 Bay Bridge to Treasure Island. The project additionally expands bicycle circulation, improves bus access, and enhances the roadway with aesthetic treatments.**
Hillcrest Road Improvement Project
This $37 million construction project modernizes and seismically secures the roadway directly above the Yerba Buena Island I-80/Bay Bridge tunnel. The upgrades include improved safety, a new roadway, two retaining walls with artistic treatment, and a Class I Multi-Use Pathway*.
Bimla Rhinehart Vista Point Parking Lot and Torpedo Building
This $13 million construction project is two-fold - creating public access facilities to the Bimla Rhinehart Pier E2 Vista Point site, and providing public facility upgrades and amenities for the nearby historic Torpedo Building on Yerba Buena Island.
*Connecting YBI Vista Point, Hillcrest Road and West Side Bridges is the $100 million Yerba Buena Island Multi-Use Pathway Project, also known as the regional Bay Skyway Phase 1 project, providing seamless bicycle and pedestrian access from West Oakland to San Francisco, via Treasure Island Road and ferry. The Transportation Authority is also leading the final design phase of this project in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission/BATA and TIDA.
**The Westside Bridges, Hillcrest Road, and Multi-Use Pathway Segment 4 projects will all feature a decorative retaining wall designed by Bay Area artist Muzae Sesay, which combines hand-carved, smoothed, and sculpted shotcrete with a staining pattern incorporating 11 colors. The decorative wall, titled Bridging Horizons, is inspired by the topography of the islands in the San Francisco Bay. The wall’s design features contemporary public art, aims to integrate with the natural environment of Yerba Buena Island, and cultivates a strong sense of placemaking within the project.
The infrastructure program investment on Yerba Buena and Treasure islands totals $340 million from federal, state, regional, and local funding sources and entails thousands of well-paying design and construction jobs. The comprehensive program of projects is partnering with Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, exceeding the contractual requirements of 12.5%.
View this “Construction Cam” time lapse video of West Side Bridges work over the past year.
Laying the foundation at West Side Bridges.
West Side Bridges decorative wall designed by Bay Area artist Muzae Susay.
West Side Bridges undercrossing construction.
West Side Bridges foundation.
Construction at Hillcrest.
Construction of retaining wall at West Side Bridges.