Caltrans officials announced today that the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge will not have to be closed next weekend because earthquake safety work on the bridge is ahead of schedule.
The bridge shut down on Friday night so crews could install a new seismic joint and replace 60 feet of the bridge deck just east of the high rise, officials said.
The deck replacement work was farther along than anticipated after Saturday, so Caltrans said another planned closure on Oct. 26-29 will not be necessary.
The bridge is still expected to reopen at 5 a.m. Monday. Suggested alternate routes for motorists during the closure are the Dumbarton Bridge, the Bay Bridge or a southern route along state Highway 237.
The project costs $3 million and is being funded by the Bay Area Toll Authority.
--Bay City News
