Third eastbound lane on Richmond-San Rafael bridge likely to open in December

    POINT RICHMOND - A third eastbound lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge - part of an ongoing construction project of the Bay Area Toll Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority - will likely be in operation in December, BATA's Chris Lillie told the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council Wednesday night.

    In a brief, 15-minute presentation, Lillie explained that the third lane is designed to alleviate congestion during peak hours but will not be open around the clock.
   "There are no precise hours yet for when all three lanes will be open," he said.
   But BATA and Caltrans will be monitoring to ensure maximum use to keep traffic flowing. Signals on the bridge will indicate when the third lane is open or closed.
 
   On the upper, westbound deck of the bridge, BATA is working on construction of a third lane, but one that will be for bicycles and pedestrians, not vehicles. It is part of a larger bicycle/trail project.
   Several members of the audience questioned why BATA isn't opening the third traffic lane westbound right now to handle the increasingly heavy morning motor vehicle traffic.
   Lille said a major reason is need for changes in highway infrastructure on the Marin County side of the bridge. For the present, adding a third motor-vehicle lane to the westbound deck of the bridge is not part of the four-year pilot project, he said.
   The bicycle pedestrian lane will be cordoned off with a moveable barrier. Caltrans may also use it for maintenance and possibly for emergency vehicles to respond to westbound accidents on the bridge.

(by Michael J. Fitzgerald)

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PRNC hears report on BART safety

    The PRNC also heard a report Wednesday night from BART Police Chief Carlos Rojas about BART policing. See the story here : BART safety