Freeport Bridge Changes to Four-Hour-Notice Marine Openings for Winter Season

FREEPORT, California — Boat operators navigating the Sacramento River at Freeport Bridge should plan around the county’s winter bridge-opening rules, which take effect November 1 and continue through April 30. Sacramento County’s Bridge Operations page lists Freeport Bridge openings during this period as available on four hours’ notice.

How to request an opening

For the winter schedule, the county directs vessel operators to call the Rio Vista Bridge at 707-374-2134 to arrange an opening. Its general bridge-opening instructions also describe contacting bridge tenders over marine VHF channel 9 or using the prescribed whistle signal. Boaters should coordinate before arriving rather than assume the bridge will open immediately.

Freeport Bridge is one of Sacramento County’s moveable river crossings. County information also lists a different summer operating schedule, from May 1 to September 30, and separate hours for other moveable bridges along the waterways. The Freeport-specific winter notice rule should not automatically be applied to Walnut Grove or Georgiana Slough.

November roadway repairs are a separate issue

SacDOT has also scheduled weekday vehicle closures for deck repairs during November 2026. Its publicly posted road-closure notices do not by themselves establish real-time marine navigation clearance. Boat operators should contact the bridge authorities about actual operating conditions and any repair-related restrictions before a trip. Drivers should separately check the roadwork notice and detours.

Primary sources: Sacramento County — Bridge Operations and Freeport Bridge Deck Repair information.

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