The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (John F. McCarthy Memorial Bridge) spans the upper arm of San Francisco Bay and is an important connection between Marin County and the cities of the East Bay. The 5.5 -mile long bridge was built at a cost of $66 million and opened in 1956. Construction of the bridge began in 1952 sparked by two major ferry strikes, which seriously disrupted transportation service across the Bay.

The major spans of the bridge stretch 1,070 feet over dual shipping channels and provide a vertical clearance of 185 feet. It is of cantilever-truss construction and has two decks. Each deck has two lanes and a shoulder, westbound traffic on the upper deck and eastbound on the lower. Major rehabilitation of the deck and trestle is expected to be complete in 2000.

An average over 59,000 vehicles a day travel across the bridge. Toll for a 2-axle vehicle is $3, collected from westbound traffic.