News in the World: Bay Bridge closes
The shutdown of a major artery linking the California cities of San Francisco and Oakland sent area officials scrambling overnight to develop plans to ease congestion for Wednesday morning’s rush hour.
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge closed indefinitely Tuesday night after a piece of the span fell onto the roadway, prompting the thousands who use the bridge to hunt for alternative routes. The 73-year-old bridge spans the San Francisco Bay and carries an average of 280,000 vehicles daily, the state’s Transportation Department says.
“All traffic is being diverted to other bridges. Motorists are advised to expect delays, use alternate routes, and plan ahead for the morning commute,” said a message on the Web site of 511, a group of public agencies that provides travel information to Bay Area travelers.
