Marin County drivers, brace yourselves for delays as the bridge preservation project by Caltrans is set to continue post-Christmas. According to an announcement by Caltrans, work will take place on US-101 and State Route 131 (Tiburon Boulevard), with various lane and ramp closures planned for Dec. 26 and Dec. 27. Motorists will have to navigate detours. The ubiquitous orange cones will guide us through altered lanes and rerouted paths as old concrete makes way for new polyester concrete.
Commuters traveling eastbound on State Route 131 will be met with lane closures, starting 10 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday. Similarly, the Northbound US-101 off-ramp bus stop at Eastbound SR-131 isn't going to be available, it’s closed when you might need it most - during that same time frame. The US-101 southbound connector off-ramp to SR-131 won't be spared either, closing at 11 p.m. and won't reopen until the early hours at 6 a.m., but at least one lane will remain open for the resilient night owls among us.
In anticipation of potential confusion, detours have been conveniently prescribed by Caltrans. Going places gets trickier when the connector loop on-ramp to Northbound US-101 from Eastbound SR-131 closes from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Not to fret, a detour is available via the Southbound US-101, to the Redwood Highway Frontage Road, then back onto Northbound US-101.
Francisco Boulevard/California Park overhead bridge fans won’t be pleased: Various lanes near the bridge in San Rafael on Northbound US-101 will temporarily vanish starting 11 p.m., – all the way until 8 a.m. If you're driving on Southbound US-101, your share of lane closures will start a bit earlier, at 8 p.m., but will also end at 5 a.m. Detours are duly plotted for the Southbound US-101 on-ramp from Francisco Boulevard West. Those looking to join Northbound US-101 or head over to the Richmond Bridge will have to indulge in a little detour dance, involving Anderson Drive, Bellam Boulevard, and Second Street.
Maybe you’re trying to reach Westbound or Eastbound Sir Francis Drake Boulevard via Southbound US-101 on Wednesday; well, patience must be your virtue because work will ensue from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following morning. Directions for detours and closures have been dispatched into the digital realm, with changeable signage set to guide motorists. In a statement, Caltrans promises that the California Highway Patrol will be on-site for safety and support during the closures. And just when you thought it was enough to worry about roadblocks, the weather chimes in; work schedules might shift if rain decides to grace Marin County. Caltrans urges drivers to visit their QuickMap site for the latest real-time traffic conditions.
