Posted August 31, 2011 @ 1 pm

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE WEST SIDEWALK WORK COMPLETED EARLY, WEST SIDEWALK REOPENS TO BICYCLISTS @ SUNRISE SEPTEMBER 10

SEPTEMBER 13, SEISMIC RETROFIT WORK CLOSES PORTION
OF EAST SIDEWALK FOR FOUR MONTHS

WEST SIDEWALK REOPENS TO BIKES SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

The WEST sidewalk of the Golden Gate Bridge was closed on May 31, 2011 to accommodate critical seismic construction on the roof of the north anchorage housing. The work, originally slated to be completed at the end of September, will be completed three weeks early -- by sunrise on Saturday, September 10, 2011.

CYCLISTS ----- PLEASE READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY:

Saturday, Sept. 10 – At sunrise, bikes cross using the WEST sidewalk through to 9 pm on Saturday when bikes return to the EAST sidewalk for the night, per the normal weekend pre-construction configuration.

Sunday, Sept. 11 – At sunrise, bikes cross using WEST sidewalk through 9 pm on Sunday when bikes return to the EAST sidewalk for the night, per the normal weekend pre-construction configuration.

Monday, Sept. 12 – At sunrise, bikes STAY on EAST sidewalk and remain on the EAST sidewalk until 3:30 pm when bikes move to the WEST sidewalk where they will remain 24 hours per day, seven days per week until seismic retrofit construction is completed on the portion of the EAST sidewalk at the north anchorage housing.

Once moved to the WEST sidewalk, the following RULES OF THE ROAD will apply because of the main cable painting project at mid-span and other maintenance activities that are accessed from the west sidewalk, on weekdays between the hours of 7 am and 3:30 pm when workers are present:

(1) When instructed by bridge crews, walk your bikes through the 400-foot-long section at mid-span where there is fixed scaffolding that reduces the sidewalk width to 6 feet.

(2) Always yield to bridge crews, scooters, equipment.

(3) Slow down and exercise caution around all maintenance equipment and crews.

NOTE: Under normal operating conditions at the GGB, bicycles are only allowed on the WEST sidewalk on weekends and weekday afternoons from 3:30 to sunset.

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF EAST SIDEWALK STARTS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

By sunrise Tuesday, September 13, the seismic retrofit construction occurring on the roof of the north anchorage housing will shift to a 300 foot-long section at the northern end of the EAST sidewalk, resulting in a four-month-long PARTIAL CLOSURE of the EAST sidewalk through mid-January 2012. During this four month period, EAST sidewalk users (pedestrians, joggers, hikers, persons with disabilities) will be able to access only specific portions of the EAST sidewalk on a daily basis, during daylight hours. In addition, because the WEST sidewalk will be available exclusively for Bridge maintenance crews as well as bicycles during the four-month partial closure of the EAST sidewalk, EAST sidewalk users will not be allowed to completely cross the Golden Gate Bridge from one side to the other.

When entering the EAST sidewalk from the SOUTH end of the Bridge or the San Francisco side, the sidewalk will be open for about 1.4 mile or 7,250 feet (2.2 km) to the north which includes the portions at the south and north towers as well as mid-span for viewing.

When entering the EAST sidewalk from the NORTH end of the Bridge (Vista Point, Marin County side), the sidewalk will be open for about 700 (0.2 km) feet to the south for viewing.

Roof portion of the North >

Anchorage Housing. >

>

This is the part of the WEST >

sidewalk that has been closed >

since May 31 and will reopen >

as of sunrise September 10. >

< 300-foot-long section of the

< EAST sidewalk at the

< North Anchorage Housing

< will be CLOSED for 4 months

< for seismic retrofit work,

< from Sept. 13, 2011 through

< mid-January 2012.

Golden Gate Bridge Seismic Retrofit Construction Project Overview

The Golden Gate Bridge Seismic Retrofit Construction project was divided into three phases, two of which are now completed. Once the seismic retrofit construction is completed, the GGB will be able to withstand a nearby quake of 8.3 magnitude. Phase 1 retrofit the Marin viaduct structures and was completed in December 2001 and Phase 2 undertook the retrofit of the San Francisco viaduct structures and Fort Point arch. It was completed in spring 2008. Phase 3A is a $125 million project that will be completed in 2012. Phase 3A began in April 2008 and retrofits the Marin Anchorage Housing and Pylon N1. The temporary closure of both sidewalks of the Bridge is required as part of the replacement of the roof of the Marin anchorage housing of which the sidewalks are a part. Phase 3B will retrofit the main span, the two main towers, and south tower pier and fender. This final phase is estimated at $260 million and is planned to go out for construction bids in 2013 and take 3.5 years to complete.