October 17, 2013 From 511.org

BART Unions Announce Strike for Friday 10/18

Current as of: October 17, 6:30 p.m.

BART’s unions have announced a strike for Friday, October 18, beginning at midnight tonight. Expect no service for the Friday morning commute. Prepare for your commute now.

AC Transit: An AC Transit strike has been temporarily averted. Governor Brown appointed a board to investigate the contract dispute between AC Transit and one of its unions, ending the immediate threat of a service disruption. The board will provide a report to the governor within seven days.

Transit riders and drivers are urged to plan ahead for their commutes, consider alternative transportation, and check back frequently for updates. 

You can also follow @511SFBay on Twitter for real-time updates. Employers are encouraged to allow their employees to telecommute.

511 recommends that you:

• telecommute or avoid traveling altogether,
• form a carpool or try casual carpooling,
• take advantage of free parking at any BART station or Park & Ride lot to meet your carpool,
• find available parking in San Francisco if you’re a carpool driver,
• adjust your work hours (leave early or stay late),
• ride your bike,
• allow extra time for your trip.

 Transit Alternatives

Transit operators have limited capability to expand services during a strike. 511 will provide updates on available services in the event of a strike; riders should check back often for updates. If you plan to ride transit, take advantage of free parking at BART stations and Park & Ride lots to meet your local transit bus or BART shuttle bus.

Accessible transit options are available.  Find details here.

Carpool (HOV) Special Access & Hours

Temporary HOV 3+ Designation for West Grand Avenue On-Ramp to the Bay Bridge

In the event of a strike, Caltrans will restrict the use of the West Grand Avenue on-ramp at Maritime Street in Oakland for exclusive use by public transit, high-occupancy vehicles (HOV) 3+, clean air vehicles (with decal), and commercial vehicles to access the Bay Bridge toll plaza (see map). The hours of operation will be weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vehicles with 3 or more passengers, buses, motorcycles, clean air vehicles, and commercial trucks will be allowed during these times. Non-HOV 3+ should use alternate on-ramps, including the 5th St at Union St on-ramp to northbound I-880.

Temporary I-880 HOV 3+ Lane Extension to Bay Bridge

The HOV 3+ lane from northbound Interstate 880 to the Bay Bridge will be extended roughly one-quarter mile to the south (see map).

HOV Hours Expanded on I-80, I-880/SR-92/SR-84, and I-680

In the event of a strike, Caltrans will expand the HOV hours on I-80, I-880, and I-680 to 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m non-stop on weekdays (see map). Remember that carpools are required to have FasTrak® to use the carpool lane when crossing bridges and will also receive discounted tolls.

I-80 HOV 3+ lanes

• Westbound operates between the Carquinez Bridge and the Bay Bridge toll plaza.
• Eastbound operates between Powell St. in Emeryville and the Carquinez Bridge.

I-880/SR-92/SR-84 HOV 2+ lanes

• I-880 northbound operates from Hwy 101 in San Jose to Marina Blvd. in San Leandro.
• I-880 southbound operates from Marina Blvd. in San Leandro to Hwy 101 in San Jose.
• SR-84 westbound approach to Dumbarton Bridge.
• SR-92 westbound approach to San Mateo Bridge.

I-680 HOV 2+ lanes

• Northbound operates from Alcosta Boulevard to Livorna Road, and from the Hwy 242 Interchange to Marina Vista Interchange.
• Southbound operates from Livorna Road to Alcosta Boulevard, and Marina Vista Interchange to North Main Street Interchange.
• Reminder: Benicia-Martinez Bridge carpool lane is 3+.

Bay Area Bridges

HOV Hours Expanded on Bay Area Bridges

In the event of a strike, Caltrans will expand the HOV hours to 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m non-stop on weekdays on all Bay Area Toll Bridges.  Carpool occupancy requirements are as follows:

• HOV 3+ Bridges: Bay Bridge, Richmond-San Rafael, Carquinez, Benicia-Martinez, and Antioch
• HOV 2+ Bridges: Dumbarton and San Mateo

Remember that carpools and clean air vehicles are required to have FasTrak® to use the carpool lane and receive the discounted rate when crossing bridges.

Other Bridge Notifications

Bay Bridge

Caltrans will restrict the use of the West Grand Avenue on-ramp at Maritime Street in Oakland for exclusive use by public transit, HOV 3+, clean air vehicles (with decal), and commercial vehicles to access the Bay Bridge toll plaza (see map). The hours of operation will be weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vehicles with 3 or more passengers, buses, motorcycles, clean air vehicles, and commercial trucks will be allowed during these times. Non-HOV 3+ should use alternate on-ramps, including the 5th St at Union St on-ramp to northbound I-880.

The HOV 3+ lane from northbound Interstate 880 to the Bay Bridge will be extended roughly one-quarter mile to the south (see map), in order to better accommodate carpoolers traveling to the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge

Richmond-San Rafael Bridge

The I-580 Scofield Avenue Bridge Deck Replacement Project will impact eastbound traffic just east of the Richmond San Rafael Toll Plaza. Caltrans has rerouted various lanes and ramps to the bridge during this construction. This is an active construction site and the 45 MPH speed zone will be enforced by the CHP; motorists may experience delays when crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.

Golden Gate Bridge

Carpool/HOV hours are not being extended on the Golden Gate Bridge.  Using the carpool/HOV toll lane requires 3 people in a vehicle (motorcycle and buses are also allowed).  The Golden Gate Bridge uses all electronic tolling. FasTrak is your best option, with three other ways to pay that are detailed here.

For additional information on BART strike alternatives from Caltrans, click here.