Interstate 580 Scofield Avenue and Western Drive Bridge Decks Replacement Project Construction Begins Tonight

Date:              April 10, 2013

District:         4 - Oakland

Contact:        Allyn Amsk

Phone:          510/286-5445

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Interstate 580 Scofield Avenue and Western Drive

Bridge Decks Replacement Project

Construction Begins Tonight

Contra Costa County – Construction is beginning for the Interstate 580 Scofield Avenue and Western Drive Bridge Decks Replacement Project. For the next few weeks, lane closures are scheduled for westbound and eastbound Interstate 580, in the vicinity of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Toll Plaza. At least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times. Drivers should expect delays and allow extra time in their daily commute.

·         Tonight, April 10, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., Caltrans will restripe lanes for eastbound I-580, just east of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, from Western Drive to Canal Blvd. In addition, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., there will be brief closures of the eastbound I-580 Western Drive on-ramp. A flagger will direct traffic during these temporary on-ramp closures.

·         Sunday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Caltrans will pave the shoulder of westbound I-580, between the Castro Street on-ramp and the Western Drive Undercrossing. From 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., there will be various lane closures while Westbound I-580 is restriped.  Note: When this work is completed, westbound I-580 traffic will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes, between the Castro Street on-ramp and the Western Drive Undercrossing. The right lane will remain the cash lane for the toll plaza. FasTrak and carpools should take the left lane.

·         Tuesday night, April 16, k-rail will be installed on the shoulder of eastbound I-580, and the eastbound I-580 bike lane will be closed. Phone numbers will be posted at the construction site for a free shuttle service to transport bicyclists through the construction zone.

·         Wednesday night, April 17, and Thursday evening, April 18, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., k-rail will be installed on the shoulder of westbound I-580. The westbound bike lane will be closed the evening of April 17. Phone numbers will be posted at the construction site for a free shuttle service to transport bicyclists through the construction zone.

This work is weather dependent.  If it is delayed due to weather conditions, work will be rescheduled. Please drive cautiously through the construction zone and leave a safe traveling distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.  Please remember to “Slow for the Cone Zone.”

Caltrans plans to begin replacement of the westbound bridge decks in early June 2013. During construction of the westbound bridge decks, the eastbound Western Drive on-ramp will be closed for approximately 90 days. Passenger vehicles that are 3/4 ton or less will use the existing bicycle facility that runs underneath I-580.  During the hours between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., there will be a flagger at the entrance of the bicycle path, and a pilot vehicle will lead vehicles to eastbound I-580.  The pilot vehicle will then return to the entrance to the bike facility where the flagger is stationed.  Larger vehicles and trucks, however, will travel westbound across the Richmond-San Rafael bridge, exit at the San Quentin interchange, turn left at the end of the off-ramp, and turn left at the on-ramp to eastbound I-580.  The detour across the bridge and back is about 9 miles long, and the extra travel time will be about 10 minutes, regardless of the time of day. 

Caltrans plans additional outreach to the Point Molate Community Advisory Committee, the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council, and residents on Western Drive.  For more information about the project, please visit the Caltrans webpage at http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/580scofieldave/ 

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