Commuters in Berkeley are bracing for a bottleneck as Caltrans shuts down a key stretch of the Eastshore Highway at the Interstate 80 Gilman Street interchange. The closure, spanning from Gilman to Page Street on the south and Harrison on the north, kicked off earlier this month and is expected to cause disruptions through mid-January 2024, per Caltrans' announcement.
The closure is part of a larger initiative to construct two roundabouts at the Gilman Street interchanges on both sides of I-80, aiming to pump the brakes on traffic congestion and improve safety. Motorists have been navigating through grids of red tail lights for too long; detours are pushing northbound traffic onto Cedar Street, then a left on Fourth to reconnect with Gilman Street.
Recognizing the impact on local travel, Caltrans expressed gratitude for the public's endurance as the upgrades are underway. "Caltrans is aware of the inconvenience and impacts the closures present to the traveling public and thanks the public for their patience as we work to improve the I-80 Gilman interchange," a representative conveyed in a statement.
The revamp doesn't stop at roundabouts. The scheme includes a fresh bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing over I-80, designated bike facilities near the interchange, and the Bay Trail's missing link at Gilman's west end. A dedicated two-way cycle track will stretch along Gilman Street, cutting a clear path from the interchange to Fourth Street.
