Caltrans to close section of I-80 in SF. ‘It’s going to be crazy.’

As part of the ongoing work to rehabilitate 71-year-old viaducts used for Interstate 80 through downtown San Francisco, Caltrans is fully closing a portion of the freeway for 55 hours, affecting eastbound drivers approaching the Bay Bridge. The agency urges the public to reconsider driving downtown on Saturday and Sunday and, if necessary, use alternate routes or public transportation. 

Eastbound Interstate 80 is scheduled to fully close for approximately 1.6 miles between 17th and Fourth streets from April 17 at 11 p.m. until April 20 at 6 a.m. For drivers bound for the Bay Bridge from the Peninsula, Caltrans will open a detour starting at the Ninth Street exit that moves them onto Bryant Street before reentering the freeway four blocks later through the Fifth Street onramp.

For motorists coming from Highway 101, Caltrans advises them to take Folsom Street to the Essex Street onramp onto the freeway. 

Caltrans spokesperson Lori Shepherd told SFGATE that traffic officers will assist during the closure, as congestion is expected to clog the two major arteries in SoMa.

On Folsom Street, the freeway closure coincides with an ongoing road project. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is working on street improvements and implementing a bike lane, creating multiple lane closures throughout the corridor. 

Meanwhile, the Bryant Street detour will likely create a parking lot on the road and chaos for the various businesses that are open during the weekend. “It’s going to be crazy,” Social Cafe general manager Ruben Romeu told SFGATE on Tuesday. 

Michael Dolan manages SoSo Cycles-San Francisco, a BMW motorcycle dealer. “On a good day, Bryant is already insane,” he said. “If the Warriors or Giants are playing, Saturdays can be ugly. It’s awful.”

Bay Area Flower Market owner Juan Ortiz said he was unaware of the upcoming closure and has yet to receive any notice. He said churches pick up big flower orders on Saturdays, and he was concerned where his customers could park. 

Looking out from his shop, through the rolling steel door onto Bryant Street, Ortiz considered the positive side of a parking lot forming in front of his shop. “I hope some of them say, ‘I should buy some flowers,’” he said.