by Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez
Drivers, be warned: The Golden Gate Bridge will completely close to car traffic this weekend, as the bridge is upgraded with a new moveable median barrier.
The new divider will consist of 3,200 units of 12-inch-wide and 32-inch-high steel barriers filled with concrete, replacing yellow plastic markers. It will run the length of The City’s iconic 1.7-mile bridge, with the ability to be easily moved to accommodate needed lane changes during peak traffic.
Steel and concrete barrier units are now stacked just beyond the bridge awaiting installation. At 12:01 a.m. Saturday the bridge will close and the work will begin, and the bridge is scheduled to reopen Monday at 4 a.m.
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District is advising drivers to take the Richmond and Bay bridges as alternative routes over the weekend.
The bridge’s parking lots will be closed through this weekend. Ferry service will be expanded to accommodate extra riders through the weekend. Muni’s 28 line buses will still take visitors to the bridge, which will be open to pedestrian traffic.
As a result of the new barrier, southbound descent to the bridge on the Waldo Grade will slow from 55 mph to 44 mph.
Two giant yellow “zipper” trucks, as they are nicknamed, will facilitate the movement of the new steel and concrete barrier on a daily basis. According to the bridge district, the project budget is estimated at $30.3 million. Of the funding, $20 million was provided from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, $1.38 million came from federal funds, and about $5.1 million from Golden Gate Bridge toll revenues.Area Road ClosuresNorth End of the Golden Gate Bridge - Friday, January 9●At 8:00 a.m.○Southbound Hwy 101 off-ramp at Rodeo Avenue●At 8:00 p.m.○Parking lots at north end of Bridge○Alexander Avenue at Conzelman●At 11:30 p.m.○Southbound Hwy 101 at Marin City○Southbound Hwy 101 on-ramp at Spencer Avenue○Southbound Hwy 101 on-ramp at Alexander Avenue○Northbound Hwy 101 on-ramp at Alexander AvenueSouth End of the Golden Gate Bridge - Friday, January 9●At 8:00 p.m.○Parking lots at south end of the Bridge●At 11:30 p.m.○Northbound Hwy 101 at Marina Boulevard & Richardson Avenue○Northbound Hwy 1 at Lake Street●At 11:45 p.m.○Northbound Hwy 101 off-ramp at Merchant Road○Southbound Hwy 101 off-ramp at Merchant Road
by Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez
Drivers, be warned: The Golden Gate Bridge will completely close to car traffic this weekend, as the bridge is upgraded with a new moveable median barrier.
The new divider will consist of 3,200 units of 12-inch-wide and 32-inch-high steel barriers filled with concrete, replacing yellow plastic markers. It will run the length of The City’s iconic 1.7-mile bridge, with the ability to be easily moved to accommodate needed lane changes during peak traffic.
Steel and concrete barrier units are now stacked just beyond the bridge awaiting installation. At 12:01 a.m. Saturday the bridge will close and the work will begin, and the bridge is scheduled to reopen Monday at 4 a.m.
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District is advising drivers to take the Richmond and Bay bridges as alternative routes over the weekend.
The bridge’s parking lots will be closed through this weekend. Ferry service will be expanded to accommodate extra riders through the weekend. Muni’s 28 line buses will still take visitors to the bridge, which will be open to pedestrian traffic.
As a result of the new barrier, southbound descent to the bridge on the Waldo Grade will slow from 55 mph to 44 mph.
Two giant yellow “zipper” trucks, as they are nicknamed, will facilitate the movement of the new steel and concrete barrier on a daily basis. According to the bridge district, the project budget is estimated at $30.3 million. Of the funding, $20 million was provided from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, $1.38 million came from federal funds, and about $5.1 million from Golden Gate Bridge toll revenues.Area Road ClosuresNorth End of the Golden Gate Bridge - Friday, January 9●At 8:00 a.m.○Southbound Hwy 101 off-ramp at Rodeo Avenue●At 8:00 p.m.○Parking lots at north end of Bridge○Alexander Avenue at Conzelman●At 11:30 p.m.○Southbound Hwy 101 at Marin City○Southbound Hwy 101 on-ramp at Spencer Avenue○Southbound Hwy 101 on-ramp at Alexander Avenue○Northbound Hwy 101 on-ramp at Alexander AvenueSouth End of the Golden Gate Bridge - Friday, January 9●At 8:00 p.m.○Parking lots at south end of the Bridge●At 11:30 p.m.○Northbound Hwy 101 at Marina Boulevard & Richardson Avenue○Northbound Hwy 1 at Lake Street●At 11:45 p.m.○Northbound Hwy 101 off-ramp at Merchant Road○Southbound Hwy 101 off-ramp at Merchant Road