Most westbound lanes on the Bay Bridge will close for several hours Thursday night into Friday morning so Caltrans crews can place a large holiday wreath above the entrance to the Yerba Buena Island tunnel.
All but the far left lane on westbound Interstate Highway 80 on the bridge will be closed between the metering lights and the tunnel, as well as the on-ramp from Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island to the westbound lanes of the bridge. The closure will be in effect from 11 p.m. Thursday until 4 a.m. Friday, according to Caltrans.
People trying to get to San Francisco from Yerba Buena and Treasure islands will have to go toward Oakland and then will be redirected at the toll plaza to return to the westbound lanes toward San Francisco.
Caltrans officials said detour signage and traffic control personnel will be in place to guide motorists, who should expect delays and allow extra travel time.
Permanent anchors for the wreath were installed above the tunnel in 2011, allowing the same 13-foot, 300-pound wreath with artificial foliage, ornaments and ribbon to be reused each year, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the transportation planning agency for the nine-county Bay Area.
The wreath will remain in place until after the new year.
