The bridge is maintained by the California Department of Transportation as part of State Route 275 and connects West Capitol Avenue and Cabaldon Parkway (formerly Tower Bridge Gateway) in West Sacramento with the Capitol Mall in Sacramento.

In 1933, the city realized that it needed a better crossing over the Sacramento River in case of war.

With the draw up, there is 100 feet (30 m) of vertical clearance above high water with a 172-foot (52 m) wide navigation channel between the timber pier fenders.

[7][8] On December 15, 1935, then-governor Frank Merriam dedicated the bridge, and led the inaugural parade across it.

Due to the nearby railroad tracks, the grade crossing on the east side is designed to act as a secondary barrier to exclude vehicular traffic while the bridge is raised.

When the warning siren sounds, the crossing activates to block traffic until the bridge is safe for use.

[6] In June 1976 as part of Bicentennial projects, it was painted a yellow-ochre color to match the gold leafed cupola on the nearby State Capitol.

[6] In 2001, as the old paint job could hardly be distinguished, residents who lived within 35 mi (56 km) of the capital voted on a new color scheme.

[citation needed] In 2020, these plans had changed to call for an extension of SacRT light rail to utilize the deck to provide service to West Sacramento.