Rio Vista Bridge back open after malfunction leaves it stuck in up position
RIO VISTA - Highway 12 was blocked in both directions over the Sacramento River in Rio Vista after the bridge malfunctioned on Tuesday.
According to Caltrans District 10, the bridge became stuck in the up position.
The Rio Visa Fire Department tweeted that the bridge suffered a mechanical issue and that drivers would need to seek an alternative route.
A ship had to anchor just north of the bridge because it too couldn't get by. Operators say it costs owners $20,000 for every day that a vessel sits idle.
#TrafficAlert in @Solano_County: 🚨The Rio Vista Bridge is OUT OF SERVICE due to mechanical issue. Expect delays on State Route 12 @ SR-160. Please use alternate route. #KnowBeforeYouGo @CaltransD4 @CaltransDist10 @SacRegion511 @TotalTrafficSMF @CityofRioVista @RioVistaPD1 pic.twitter.com/hw6TTSfC8S
— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) August 31, 2022
The bridge has its own share of problems over the years. Built in 1944, the aging bridge was also stuck in the up position a couple of times in 2018 after the gearboxes that controlled it broke.
Unfortunately, the closest detour is an 80-mile route: Highway 160 towards Antioch, then State Route 4 onto I-680, then I-680 to Highway 12 to Rio Vista.
Rio Vista police said engineers were working to fix the problem and no estimated time of when the bridge will be operational again was given.
By early Wednesday morning, Caltrans announced that the bridge had reopened.