The estuary was originally spanned by an iron swing bridge, completed in 1894 by the Harrison Bridge Company for $24,747.
In May 1901 a fire destroyed the swing span and part of the approaches, which were rebuilt the following year.
Three bridges were built by the federal government in 1901 at High Street (road), Park Street (road), and Fruitvale Avenue (combined road and rail) in exchange for permission and rights-of-way to dredge the channel between San Antonio Creek and San Leandro Bay.

After the three bridges were completed, they were left closed to allow road and rail traffic to pass, but never opened for marine traffic.
The northern approach to the High Street Bridge was destroyed by a fire in May 1909, which also damaged the bridge; repairs were performed late in 1909.
After pressure was applied by Senator George Clement Perkins and Congressman Joseph R. Knowland, the federal government turned the bridges over to Alameda County in 1910, conditioned on the county assuming responsibility for maintenance, staffing, and operation.

The present bridge was designed by the County of Alameda Surveyors Office and constructed under the Federal WPA Program in 1939 at a cost of $750,000.
It opened in December 1939.

The bascule bridge was modernized in 1981 and 1996.
The 1981 project included upgrades to electrical systems and motors; the 1996 project completely repainted the bridge, removing over 25,000 pounds (11,000 kg) of lead-based paint.
The estuary was originally spanned by an iron swing bridge, completed in 1894 by the Harrison Bridge Company for $24,747. In May 1901 a fire destroyed the swing span and part of the approaches, which were rebuilt the following year. Three bridges were built by the federal government in 1901 at High Street (road), Park Street (road), and Fruitvale Avenue (combined road and rail) in exchange for permission and rights-of-way to dredge the channel between San Antonio Creek and San Leandro Bay.
After the three bridges were completed, they were left closed to allow road and rail traffic to pass, but never opened for marine traffic. The northern approach to the High Street Bridge was destroyed by a fire in May 1909, which also damaged the bridge; repairs were performed late in 1909. After pressure was applied by Senator George Clement Perkins and Congressman Joseph R. Knowland, the federal government turned the bridges over to Alameda County in 1910, conditioned on the county assuming responsibility for maintenance, staffing, and operation.
The present bridge was designed by the County of Alameda Surveyors Office and constructed under the Federal WPA Program in 1939 at a cost of $750,000. It opened in December 1939.
The bascule bridge was modernized in 1981 and 1996. The 1981 project included upgrades to electrical systems and motors; the 1996 project completely repainted the bridge, removing over 25,000 pounds (11,000 kg) of lead-based paint.
High Street Bridge