After SP was acquired by Union Pacific on September 11, 1996, UP provided infrequent service to Alameda until freight movements were discontinued in 2000.

The right-of-way still exists through the East Bay, however, the tracks on both sides of the bridge have been severed and the span remains raised at 65 feet above water level, except when operated for maintenance and testing.

[1] It was regraded to accommodate road traffic, and the train tracks were removed in 1951 with the completion of the dedicated vertical-lift rail bridge.

[1] Miller-Sweeney won a prize bridge award for movable spans from the American Institute of Steel Construction in 1974.

Under emergency conditions, a portable generator may be used to power the single backup 5-horsepower (3.7 kW) motor, which takes 20 minutes to fully open the bridge.