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A busy route along East Bayshore Road will be reduced to one lane with traffic control signaling as the third phase of the San Francisquito Creek Bridge Replacement Project commences on April 6, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced.
The construction zone, which will remain active through December, would close off a lane along a stretch of the frontage road to U.S. Highway 101 about halfway between Laura Lane in Palo Alto and Pulgas Avenue in East Palo Alto, according to Caltrans.
Two traffic signals will funnel traffic in both directions through the single southbound lane. In addition, various lane and ramp closures will also take effect on Highway 101 during night hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., according to Caltrans.
The traffic reconfiguration will be in effect for approximately eight months, with significant delays expected. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes, Caltrans officials noted. In an updated announcement, they said that due to environmental constraints, the closure will occur again in the summer of 2017.
The closures will allow crews to replace the East Bayshore Road bridge. The work, when completed, will widen the bridge to improve San Francisquito Creek water flow during periods of heavy rain and to reduce flooding. The existing bridge will be demolished with heavy equipment, and residents and businesses might experience increased noise, Caltrans officials said.
Last year, crews worked on the West Bayshore Road bridge side. Lanes on north and southbound Highway 101 that were narrowed last year and at the exit at Embarcadero Road are not expected to reopen at this time.
In an update, Caltrans is also planning to switch southbound Highway 101 lanes to a new alignment on Friday night, April 8, beginning at 10 p.m. Drivers should be aware that by Saturday, April 9, at 6 a.m., lanes will be shifted toward the right shoulder to make room for the next stage of construction, Caltrans noted.
The latest road conditions can be found at Caltrans Quick Map: quickmap.dot.ca.gov or by following Caltrans on Twitter at: twitter.com/CaltransD4.