The bike lane on the Richmond San Rafael Bridge will soon close on weekdays and remain open on weekends.
At its meeting Thursday, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) approved a proposal from Caltrans and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to test new transportation options to address complaints of congestion caused by the westbound bike lane on the bridge, which was installed in 2019 as part of a pilot project.
The plan will allow the westbound shoulder on the upper deck to operate as a breakdown lane during peak commute hours from 11 p.m. Sunday to 2 p.m. Thursday, providing space for emergency and disabled vehicles. On weekends, the shoulder will serve as a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, protected by a moveable barrier. When the path is closed on weekdays, a free shuttle will operate from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. to transport pedestrians and cyclists across the span.
The changes are part of a three-year study to evaluate the Westbound Improvement Project, which preliminary findings suggest could cut North Bay commute times by 10 to 19 minutes. Caltrans and MTC will begin implementing the changes this fall and report back to the commission in 2028 with recommendations for a long-term plan. As part of the project, possible use of the westbound lane as a part-time high-occupancy vehicles lane will be studied.
As a condition of approval, commitments for $10 million in Regional Measure 3 funds were secured to improve local bike and pedestrian connections to the bridge. Projects include a 1.1-mile Richmond Wellness Trail extension linking Cutting Boulevard to the Richmond Ferry Terminal and a 1.7-mile Harbour Way “Complete Streets” upgrade with lane reductions, bike lanes, and pedestrian lighting.
The commission also approved permanent daily use of the lower deck’s eastbound shoulder as a third travel lane during afternoon peak hours from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
BCDC Chair R. Zachary Wasserman said Thursday’s vote will help the region make “an informed decision on the long-term future of how the public will use the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.” Contra Costa County Supervisor and BCDC Commissioner John Gioia emphasized that new active transportation investments will “ensure that vital bike and pedestrian projects are completed” to support alternative travel options.
The bike lane opened on the westbound span of the bridge in 2019 as part of a four-year pilot program. While the feature was heralded for providing a connection to the ever-growing San Francisco Bay Trail, the project reportedly has had unintended consequences, with Richmond residents and community leaders saying it contributes to traffic backups that worsen air quality in neighborhoods along I-580.
