Drivers must continue to use alternate routes into San Francisco this weekend, as the Bay Bridge will remain closed for repairs. The bridge was closed after two metal rods and a crossbar fell onto the upper deck on Tuesday evening. Caltrans crews have been working around the clock to make the necessary repairs. They will be joined by independent inspectors, including the Federal Highway Administration and Seismic Safety Peer Review, that will approve the final repairs. Caltrans refused to give an estimate of when the bridge will be reopened, stating that they could not predict how much time the independent inspectors would need. "The first thing the public wants is that it's safe and done right, we're not going to rush," stated Caltrans spokesman Bart Ney.
As a result of the bridge closure, BART will be extending its service over the weekend. Fourteen of its 43 stations will run hourly trains Friday and Saturday. No hourly overnight service will be provided on Sunday night.
Commuters are using alternate routes to and from San Francisco including the San Mateo Bridge, San Rafael Bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Officials have announced that the repair will be complete Friday morning but the bridge will not open to traffic until the repair is tested. For more information regarding the Bay bridge closure please visit baybridgeinfo.org.
