Better plan ahead.
Caltrans plans to close all lanes in one direction of Interstate Highway 80 for all of four weekends this summer in West Contra Costa County, which will prompt significant detours for drivers.
The closures will span on I-80 from Highway 4 to the Cummings Skyway.
All eastbound lanes will be closed from Friday, July 21, at 9 p.m. through Monday, July 24, at 5 a.m.; from Friday, Aug. 4, at 9 p.m. through Monday, Aug. 7 at 5 a.m.; and from Friday, Aug. 18, at 9 p.m. through Monday, Aug. 21, at 5 a.m., Caltrans officials told Richmond City Council on Tuesday.
All westbound lanes will be closed on Labor Day weekend from Thursday, Aug. 31, at 9 p.m. to Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 5 a.m.
The $50 million project involves 26 lane miles of pavement resurfacing and restoration on freeway and ramps, along with electrical, drainage, signage work and upgrading curb ramps at ramp termini to be ADA compliant.
Drivers will see plenty of warnings in the coming days as Caltrans conducts community outreach, officials said. You’ll see messaging on portable and fixed signs throughout the region’s highways in advance of the closures. Caltrans has released maps providing detour routes (see below).
While the closures are disruptive, doing the project over four weekends is less disruptive than the alternative of requiring 120 nights of closures, project officials said. The four weekend closures will reportedly allow for the project to be completed this year rather than in late summer 2024.
