I-80 Weekend Closure Hits San Francisco Traffic

A 1.6-mile stretch of eastbound Interstate 80 through San Francisco is shut this weekend, forcing Bay Bridge traffic off the freeway and onto city streets. (dot.ca.gov) Caltrans closed eastbound I-80 between 17th Street and 4th Street at 11 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and says it plans to reopen the roadway by 6 a.m. on Monday, April 20. The closure lasts 55 hours. (dot.ca.gov) (kqed.org) The southbound and northbound U.S. 101 connector ramps to eastbound I-80 are also closed. Vermont Street is the last eastbound exit before the shutdown, and drivers who miss it are being sent to the 9th Street off-ramp, then along Bryant Street to reenter at 5th Street. (dot.ca.gov) (kqed.org) The Bay Bridge itself is staying open, but the normal freeway approach from San Francisco is not. Caltrans said drivers should expect significant congestion in SoMa, Mission Bay, and nearby corridors for the full weekend. (dot.ca.gov) The closure is part of Caltrans’ rehabilitation of the Central and Bayshore viaducts near downtown San Francisco. The agency says the structures are 71 years old and need bridge deck and structural repairs to extend their service life. (dot.ca.gov 1) (dot.ca.gov 2) That work began in January as part of a two-year Caltrans project on the U.S. 101 and I-80 viaducts near the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge corridor. Caltrans has warned that the project will bring more lane reductions and full closures as crews replace deck surfaces, repair joints, and fix barrier rails. (dot.ca.gov 1) (dot.ca.gov 2) Transit agencies adjusted service around the shutdown. Bay Area Rapid Transit said it restored normal five-line Sunday service on April 19 and postponed planned Transbay Tube single-tracking work by one week to handle riders avoiding I-80. (bart.gov) By Saturday, the closure was already backing up traffic and cutting into business for some restaurants and shops near the detour zone. Caltrans’ message for Sunday remained the same: avoid the area if possible, or expect heavy delays getting to the bridge. (abc7news.com) (cbsnews.com)