Q
For the past year, my commute from San Francisco to Oakland
takes me through downtown and onto the Bay Bridge, usually at the
entrance at First and Harrison streets. The seismic retrofit work
being done on the west side of the bridge usually blocks off one
or two lanes during rush hour. Also, it seems to rotate from the
right lane to the left lane on different days. Where can I view
the schedule for work so I know which days to avoid these closings?
Brian Mullen
San Francisco
A
Caltrans normally does not provide closing schedules because the
project is ever-changing. For example, a few weeks ago, First Street
was to be closed between Howard and Folsom, but the contractor was
going gangbusters and was two weeks ahead of schedule. Then when
it appeared closings were needed, the temporary ramp created to
handle buses was not ready. Sometimes it's better to say nothing.
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Q
Why is so much work on the Bay Bridge being done during the day,
specifically during heavy rush-hour traffic?
Brian Mullen
A
The state tries to avoid working during rush hour, so all traffic-affecting
construction is stopped from 2 to 6 p.m. Some of the road closings
around this project have to remain closed to protect people and
equipment.
_______________________________________________________________
Q
And, last, why are two lanes sometimes blocked out during weekday
traffic?
Brian Mullen
A
Most lane closings are actually during the weekend to avoid rush-hour
problems.
Says Jack-The-Caltrans man: ``Please remember, we
are attempting to replace an entire freeway while people are driving
on it.''
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