The bridges is maintained at a height of 65 feet above the water. If a vessel needs more clearance a request must be made to the Bridge Tender on duty. The bridge is manned by a alternating four person crew. The Bridge Tender on duty at Miller-Sweeny Bridge operates the Fruitvale Avenue Railroad Bridge. The Fruitvale Avenue Railroad Bridge is equipped with a Marine Radio, the working channel in the San Francisco Bay Area is Channel 9 .
Vessels can also gain a bridge opening by using a horn.
The signal is a long blast followed by a short blast. The Bridge is maintained at a height of 65 Feet above the water and is considered passable by most vessel traffic. The bridge can be raised to a height of 135 feet to accommodate larger vessels. There are hand full of openings a year where the bridge is raised to it full height. The bridge receives approximately 60 train crossing per month.