The City of Escalon Acquires the Golden Gate Bridge!!

Starting in the spring of 2000 you will be able to see the Golden Gate Bridge, or at least part of it, while travelling through California’s Central Valley. The small agricultural town of Escalon, just east of Manteca, is reusing a guardrail from the historic bridge in a new bike trail along State Route 120. Interestingly, the piece was originally manufactured by a prominent Escalon steel manufacturer, Hogan Manufacturing, in the 1940s. You might say it is coming home to Escalon.

The finding of the Golden Gate Bridge guardrail, a whopping 1,200 linear feet and 60 tons, resulted from a search of the CalMAX "available" listings in June 1999 by Escalon’s city planning department. It was listed by an Oakland scrap metal dealer who thought, "Why not place an ad, the CalMAX listing is free!" Sure enough, this historical hunk of metal was purchased by the city for just $25,000, which was a considerable savings over the cost of a customized guardrail. This transaction also provided more revenue to the scrap metal dealer than would have resulted had the guardrail been treated as recycled metal.

Pedestrian Day, May 27, 1937 Photo Copyright Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District All Rights Reserved

Part of a major economic development project by the City of Escalon, the State Route 120 Project includes redevelopment of its Main Street corridor, as well as the transformation of a portion of the highway into a pedestrian plaza with lush landscaped grounds, and a Class 1 bike lane. The project has been ten years in the making. The city hopes to create a 1920s feel along the corridor and increase the use of its downtown area by local residents and businesses. The old-fashioned theme is being created through the reuse of materials wherever possible, and the guardrail addition will be a perfect fit.

The reused guardrail will not only protect pedestrians and bicyclists from road traffic on State Route 120, but it will also serve as a historical icon in the heart of the city. Signs will be posted along the guardrail highlighting its significance. Old-fashioned streetlights and benches will be used, and as a focal point, the city is still seeking a historic clock tower. So keep your eye on those CalMAX listings!

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Last updated: February 27, 2008