Walnut Creek travelers driving through San Francisco to the Peninsula, South Bay or San Francisco International Airport face a weekend closure of southbound U.S. 101.
All southbound lanes between Cesar Chavez and 17th streets close at 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and are scheduled to reopen at 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, according to Caltrans. One northbound lane will also close.
Caltrans and CHP are encouraging travelers to use public transit during the shutdown instead of driving through the city.
Caltrans Bay Area public information officer Lori Shepherd told KQED that drivers should expect "a major, major impact" not just around 101 but on surrounding streets and detours. The agency recommends I-280 southbound for anyone who must drive.
This is the third weekend closure in Caltrans' ongoing rehabilitation of what the agency calls "the Fab 4." That set of freeway segments includes 101's Hospital Curve, I-280, the Central Freeway and 19th Avenue. The work involves repaving, according to CHP San Francisco.
The closure also overlaps with WNBA Finals Game 1 at Chase Center. The Golden State Valkyries host the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 12:30 p.m., according to Chase Center, drawing fans to the arena while the freeway is shut down.
Separately, BART will suspend Green Line service Sunday, Oct. 18, for vegetation work between San Leandro and Bay Fair. Orange and Blue trains will have eight cars instead of six that day. Riders in the work area should allow an extra 25 to 30 minutes.
Walnut Creek is served by BART’s Yellow Line.
