Bay Bridge closure travel guide: Detour routes, traffic and current info for getting to SFO and OAK
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is closed in both directions—indefinitely—after two rods and a 5,000-pound crossbeam fell during rush hour traffic at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, as reported on L.A. Now. Traffic was backed up during the morning rush hour on Wednesday and is expected to add delays to the evening commute Wednesday as well. Here are some resources for Bay Bridge updates and alternative travel means, plus maps for traffic statuses on routes to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK).
Bay Area transit info: 511.org is the best place to find alternative transit options in the Bay Area.
The page on transit options shows a full grid of status updates for Bay Area transportation services such as BART, MUNI, SF and East Bay ferry service and more. Use this 511.org “Detour Routes” page for alternative routes that use the Dumbarton Bridge, San Mateo Bridge and other options.
Airport commute: 511.org offers these directions to San Francisco International Airport from the East Bay: “Take Interstate 880, the San Mateo Bridge, and U.S. 101 north. Or, use the 511 Transit Trip planner to plan your trip to the airport on BART.” However, the trip planner does not account for adjusted schedules due to the bridge closure. If you are in San Francisco trying to get to the Oakland airport, MapQuest asks that you drag your route map down to the San Mateo bridge due to the closure. Here is a map link for travel between San Francisco and the Oakland airport.
SuperShuttle: If you are using the Super Shuttle 800 BLUE-VAN (258-3826), note that officials say that driving time is about 1 hour, 45 minutes between downtown San Francisco and OAK. They ask that you allow three hours from your departure time for domestic flights and four hours for international flights.
Google Map and MapQuest Maps show live traffic reports. Use the Google map or MapQuest map for San Francisco and click on the “Traffic” option to show the delays coded by green, yellow, red or black. The maps are up to date, with the bridge closure marked. Note you can also use Google maps to get directions if using public transportation, not just to get driving directions.
Bay Area Rapid Transit: BART’s news page regarding the Bay Bridge closure states that it is anticipating crowded parking lots at BART stations and has increased service since 4 a.m. today due to the closure. It advises going to work later than 9 a.m. tomorrow to avoid “the peak of the peak” and offer tips to adjust your schedule on its website. Note you can sign up to get BART news alerts via e-mail and wireless messages.
California Dept. of Transportation updates: You can use its search tool to quickly check the status of highway conditions on its home page or visit updates on a specific Caltrans district such as San Francisco.
—Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger
Photo: Traffic backs up on Interstate 80 Wednesday as safety cones block the entrance to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, which was closed after a section collapsed. Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
5 Comments on “Bay Bridge closure travel guide: Detour routes, traffic and current info for getting to SFO and OAK”
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October 28th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I hesitate to even imagine how well the Bay Bridge superstructure will hold up whenever SFBay Area residents get hit with the Big One, i.e., EARTHQUAKE, in view of yesterday’s snafu on the structure presently. Look out for future tragedies on the Bay Bridge!!!
October 28th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Wow, these engineers really are something. Incompetence…it’s everywhere.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Good to have patience and realize everyone is doing the best they can. This is good preparation for when the big earthquake happens. Plenty of time to get around.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:17 am
Ever designed anything larger than a spitball Enoch?
It’s not as easy as merely stacking blocks.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:57 am
This list doesn’t make it obvious but you’d be crazy to take a shuttle or taxi to/from the airport near rush hour. BART goes to both airports but check schedules to allow enough time (direct to SFO’s international terminal then a tram; OAK requires an additional shuttle from the Coliseum station that runs frequently)