San Mateo Bridge closed through this weekend

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Friday, May 8, 2015
San Mateo Bridge closed for weekend
All lanes of the San Mateo Bridge have closed for the weekend until Monday 5 a.m. for resurfacing and repair work.

HAYWARD, Calif. (KGO) -- The San Mateo Bridge closed at 10 p.m. Friday for the entire weekend, but that is not the only traffic issue going on during this time.

Caltrans is resurfacing the San Mateo Bridge. They're also adding a special coating, which will protect it from moisture. The work is being done on the high-rise section.

No cars on the bridge means there will be more everywhere else. On top of a BART closure this weekend, there are two Giants games at AT&T Park and it's Mother's Day on Sunday, which could equal traffic jams.

"I asked my daughter if she'd come visit me at my house and she said, 'Oh mom, you know the San Mateo Bridge is closed this weekend, so maybe next time,'" Hayward resident Larisa Berger said.

Berger's daughter lives in San Mateo. It won't be an easy drive this Mother's Day with the San Mateo Bridge closed. Berger also has to get to work in Burlingame this weekend.

"I'm going to start earlier and take the Dumbarton Bridge and go around. It's extra miles, but it's OK," Berger said.

WATCH LIVE: San Mateo Bridge cam

"It's also a lot quieter and people will notice a much smoother ride," said Steven Williams, a spokesperson for Caltrans.

This is good news for drivers in the long run, but for one shuttle driver, time is money. He told ABC7 News, "When I take customers from Oakland Airport to SFO and it's taking me three times the time."

Also this weekend, BART trains will not be running between the Coliseum-Oakland Airport and Fruitvale stations for maintenance. There will be buses, but delays could be as long as an hour.

"Everyone better get a two-hour head start to get to work, because it's going to get real nasty," said Brandon Pierson of Hayward.

The bridge is scheduled to reopen Monday at 5 a.m. One more closure is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.

Click here for full coverage and watch ABC7 News' live San Mateo Bridge cam here.

To find out more about the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge Deck Resurfacing and Treatment Project, click here.

Watch ABC7 News for updates throughout the weekend.