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Tri-Valley residents and those passing through the area should expect to see some delays with traffic later this month as Caltrans gets set to fully close a portion of the southbound Interstate 680.
According to a press release from the transportation agency, construction crews will be closing off the freeway between Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon and the I-580 and I-680 connector in Pleasanton from next Friday night (Sept. 20) until the following Monday morning (Sept. 23).
The weekend closure is scheduled to start on 9 p.m. that Friday and will last until that next Monday morning at 4 a.m.
Caltrans said, however, that all the I-580/I-680 connectors “will remain open through right-most lanes on southbound I-680.”
“Northbound I-680 and I-580/I-680 interchange connector will remain open and will not be affected by the closure,” Janis Mara, a spokesperson for the transportation agency, said in the press release. “We encourage motorists to take alternative routes to alleviate traffic congestion within the construction work zone on southbound I-680 in the cities of San Ramon and Dublin.”
According to the press release, during the closure a contractor with the agency will be replacing that portion of the existing roadway with new pavement.
“The work will repair deteriorating existing pavement and enhance motorist safety while reducing the number of nightly closures needed on the project,” Mara stated in the press release. “This weekend closure will accomplish the amount of work that otherwise would require an estimated 40 nighttime closures.”
Caltrans is suggesting that those driving west on I-80 in Vacaville and Fairfield should remain on the same freeway and go to southbound Interstate 880. Those coming south on I-680 near the Benicia Bridge are advised to take I-780 west to I-80 in order to hit southbound I-880.
Caltrans also said I-680 southbound drivers in Concord can go on Highway 4 to I-80 to southbound I-880. Those on southbound I-680 in Walnut Creek can take Highway 24 to I-80 to I-880.
The southbound Saint Patrick Way onramp onto southbound I-680 in Dublin will also be fully closed.
Finally, those going southbound on I-680 in Danville can hop on Interstate 580 west to Highway 238 in order to get to I-880 south or can go eastbound on I-580 in order to hop on Highway 84 to reach I-680 south.
Mara further stated that in addition to the full closures on southbound I-680, the far-left express lane and the left shoulder on northbound I-680 between Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin and Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon will also be closed.
Following the weekend closure, the transportation agency will be partially closing that same specific location two more times — from Oct. 4-7 and again from Oct. 18-21. Those two additional partial closures will allow motorists to travel southbound on I-680, unlike next weekend’s full closure.
In the case of rain or any unanticipated developments, Caltrans said the closures will be rescheduled and the public will be notified.
“Caltrans is aware that the closures will impact the motoring public and measures are being taken to minimize inconvenience,” Mara stated in the press release. “Caltrans thanks the motoring public in advance for your patience as we work to improve I-680.”
