Golden Gate Bridge “Closed” Just for Cars

Yes, the Golden Gate Bridge is “closing” for the first time in decades so that they can install a strange zipper-like moveable median barrier to make it slightly less frightening facing oncoming traffic.

But “closing” doesn’t mean the Bridge is totally out of commission. It’s only personal vehicles that are kicked off the bridge. Golden Gate Transit buses are still allowed the cross the bridge and the Bridge’s east sidewalk remains open for pedestrians, joggers and bicyclists. 

Golden Gate Bridge Roadway Closure
January 10-12, 2015
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• Roadway closes – 12:01am Saturday morning January 10
• Roadway re-opens – 4:00am Monday morning January 12th

How to cross the bridge:

• Personal Vehicle Traffic – Not allowed
• Golden Gate Transit bus service – Allowed
• Walking – Allowed (east sidewalk)
• Biking – Allowed  (east sidewalk)
• Parking lots – Closed
• Golden Gate Ferry – expanded service including late night

Here’s the Crazy-looking zipper vehicle called the “Barrier Transfer Machine”

Notice of Golden Gate Bridge Closure in January 2015

Area Road Closures  |  Transit Options  |  Press Releases  |  Photos  |  Videos

The Golden Gate Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic the second weekend of January 2015. The roadway will be closed starting at 12:01am on Saturday, January 10 and will reopen at 4:00 am on Monday, January 12.

The Bridge will be closed to install a moveable median barrier which will provide a safer and more efficient system of separating opposing lanes of traffic.

The Bridge District is issuing a no travel advisory that weekend but if travel between San Francisco and the North Bay Area is necessary, there are several ways to get to your destination:

• Golden Gate Transit bus service will be allowed to cross the Bridge.
• Golden Gate Ferry will be offering expanded service that weekend, including late night service.
• Use alternate routes (Richmond and Bay Bridges)

Bridge’s east sidewalk will remain open to pedestrians and bicyclists but parking lots at the Bridge will be closed.

A new driving experience after installation

With the installation of the moveable median barrier comes a new and different driving experience across the Golden Gate Bridge. Today, plastic tubular pylons are used to separate opposing lanes of traffic on the Bridge. The new barrier system will provide a safer and more efficient system of dividing opposing lanes of traffic.

The barrier will be installed on the 1.7-mile-long Bridge and on the approach portion of Highway 101, north of the Golden Gate Bridge, starting at Alexander Avenue. Using transfer machines, the barrier will be moved several times a day to create more lanes in a particular direction to accommodate variable traffic demands such as the morning and evening commutes.

A new merge will be very different for southbound vehicles. Where drivers current merge from left to right, the new merge will be from right to left. In addition, the speed limit will be dropped to 45 miles per hour from the current 55 miles per hour on the descent down the Waldo Grade. Lastly, with the installation of the barrier, the two inside lanes will lose 6-inches of width. Getting used to driving next to the barrier may take some adjustment for some drivers, and the District advises motorists to take it slow and get used to the new driving conditions.

This new moveable median barrier system will enhance safety by reducing the potential for cross-over collisions and will allow the Bridge District to more efficiently reconfigure lane changes to optimize traffic operations on the bridge.

To view an animation of the new driving experience, click here.

For more information on the Moveable Median Barrier project, click here.

Area Road Closures

North End of the Golden Gate Bridge – Friday, January 9

• At 8:00 a.m.
  • Southbound Hwy 101 off-ramp at Rodeo Avenue (see map)
• At 8:00 p.m.
  • Parking lots at north end of Bridge (see map)
  • Alexander Avenue at Conzelman (see map)
• At 11:30 p.m.
  • Southbound Hwy 101 at Marin City (see map)
  • Southbound Hwy 101 on-ramp at Spencer Avenue (see map)
  • Southbound Hwy 101 on-ramp at Alexander Avenue (see map)
  • Northbound Hwy 101 on-ramp at Alexander Avenue (see map)

South End of the Golden Gate Bridge – Friday, January 9

• At 8:00 p.m.
  • Parking lots at south end of the Bridge (see map)
• At 11:30 p.m.
  • Northbound Hwy 101 at Marina Boulevard & Richardson Avenue (see map)
  • Northbound Hwy 1 at Lake Street (see map)
• At 11:45 p.m.
  • Northbound Hwy 101 off-ramp at Merchant Road (see map)
  • Southbound Hwy 101 off-ramp at Merchant Road (see map)

North End of GGB
Rodeo Ave	Parking lots & Alexander Ave at Conzelman	Marin City	Spencer Ave	Alexander Ave
South End of GGB
Parking lots	Marina Blvd	Lake Street	Merchant Road

Transit Service Info

Golden Gate Transit BUS: Weekend service. Click HERE for timetables. Routes 10 and 17 & late night Route 70 trips will NOT operate in Sausalito. Use free shuttle and make all connections in Marin City.

Golden Gate FERRY: Added early-morning to late-night service on Larkspur Ferry. Late-night service added to Sausalito Ferry weekend schedules. Click HERE for timetables.