Facebook Could Partner With Local Transit Authorities to Repair Defunct Rail Bridge

The Dunbarton Rail Bridge has been out of service since the 1980s. In a potentially groundbreaking development, Facebook is interested in repairing the bridge to serve multi-modal commuters.

1 minute read

June 18, 2018, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


San Francisco Bay Area

The Dunbarton Rail Bridge no longer serves rail traffic, so it's left in the open position to allow boats to pass. | Howardpaul2 / Wikimedia Commons

"Facebook has entered into negotiations with the San Mateo County Transit District to improve the Dumbarton corridor," reports Wendy Lee. "The negotiating agreement, approved Wednesday by the transit district’s board, will allow Facebook and a public infrastructure investor, Plenary Group USA, to begin working on a plan to improve the corridor."

"The project could include renovating a defunct rail bridge over the bay, built in 1910, that parallels the existing, congested bridge for cars and trucks," according to Lee. Commuters could use the rail line to connect between the East Bay and the Peninsula—where Facebook and many other tech companies are located.

A San Mateo County Transit District report on the project included bike and pedestrian infrastructure as well as 'enhanced bus service' as a possibility for the project.

Thursday, June 7, 2018 in The San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

3 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

4 hours ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

7 hours ago - UNM News