Congestion-Triggering Nighttime Lane Closures on Bay Bridge to Last Through Spring for Maintenance

Nighttime Lane Closures on Bay Bridge to Last Through Spring for MaintenancePhoto byAmogh ManjunathonUnsplash

Nighttime drivers crossing the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge should prepare for lane closures and slower traffic through the spring as Caltrans conducts routine inspections and maintenance on the bridge's cables.

Beginning Thursday, one to two lanes on the far right of the westbound side of the Bay Bridge will be closed from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weeknights. The closures will start at the Yerba Buena Island Tunnel and extend to the downtown San Francisco side.

While peak traffic from the East Bay into San Francisco occurs at around 5 a.m., when approximately 9,000 cars cross the bridge on weekdays, the Bay Area Toll Authority reports that nighttime traffic is significantly lower, easing the impact on drivers. However, the lane closures are expected to cause some congestion for late-night commuters.