Proposal to open third lane on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge next month

RICHMOND-SAN RAFAEL BRIDGE (KGO) -- A North Bay lawmaker is proposing to open a third lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge next month.

Assemblyman Marc Levine has introduced a bill to speed up the restoration of a third eastbound lane on the bridge. Currently it's used as an emergency lane.

Caltrans had proposed waiting until next year, but Levine says it's a simple fix -- just paint in a new lane. He says a solution is needed to ease congestion.

The bridge initially had three lanes when it opened in 1956, but when drought hit in 1977 a lane was closed so a pipeline could be laid across the span to bring water to Marin.