Construction crews have been working around the clock in 12-hour shifts since the approach to the Golden Gate Bridge closed Friday night at 8 p.m.
Demolition crews spent Saturday tearing down the seismically unsafe ramp that was built in 1936. In its place will be a replacement road that drivers will use for the next three years while the billion-dollar project is finished.
Starting Monday, the new road will take drivers heading into San Francisco through a tunnel near Crissy Field. The road will then curve before heading into the Marina.
"I feel like when I come into the city it's going to feel like a celebration of the city," said Corte Madera resident Michael Dolan.
There will be a movable barrier between each direction of traffic that will be adjusted depending on the commuter flow and there will be plenty of electronic warning signs to go with the new 35 miles per hour speed limit.
There will be some safety tests Sunday night before the roadway is opened at 5 a.m. Monday. Caltrans is predicting an adjustment period of a few weeks.
Extra Caltrans workers and California Highway Patrol officers will be present when the road re-opens to make sure drivers stay in line with the new speed limit.
Getting around
The closure has gone smoothly, thanks to drivers staying off the road.
Caltrans reported a 50 percent drop in traffic coming into and out of the city Friday night after Doyle Drive shut down.
Traffic leading to and from the Golden Gate Bridge did snarl up a bit heading through the Presidio during the weekend.
But traffic on Lombard was light. Park Presidio, the detour as recommended by Caltrans, was bustling, but not too busy.
For those who chose the Bay Bridge as an alternative, traffic backed up Sunday heading into the toll plaza, just like it did Saturday.
Commuters who wanted to avoid the confusion all together left the car at home and took the ferry.
There are double the number of ferries running between Marin County and the city. The last to leave San Francisco Sunday will be at 8:40 p.m.
