Caltrans workers and local politicians cut a big cake in honor of the span's 75th birthday, which takes place on Saturday and kicks off a year-long celebration.
The bridge opened to traffic on Nov. 12, 1936 and took just three years to complete. The company in charge of the original construction is also overseeing the construction of the new eastern span, which is nearing the final phase.
Once the new span opens in 2013, the current eastern section will be torn down and pieces of it will be used to adorn a park in Oakland.
