Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Lanes Close Saturday for Nighttime Maintenance

Key Takeaways

• The closures are scheduled for the night of Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, into early Sunday, Aug. 16.
• Caltrans will close lane 2 on the westbound upper deck from 7 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday.
• On the eastbound lower deck, lane 2, the shoulder and an auxiliary lane close from 10 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday.
• Lane 1, the leftmost lane, stays open in both directions.
• Caltrans urges drivers to expect delays and consider alternate routes.

Planned Overnight Work on a Key Bay Bridge

Some westbound and eastbound lanes of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge will close Saturday night for inspections, maintenance and repairs, according to Caltrans.

On the westbound or upper deck, lane 2, next to the fast lane, will be closed from 7 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday. On the eastbound or lower deck, lane 2 will be closed from 10 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday. The shoulder and an outer lane known as an auxiliary lane will be closed at the same time, Caltrans said.

Caltrans said lane 2 on the eastbound deck is also next to the fast lane.

Lane 1, the leftmost lane, will remain open in both directions, so a limited flow of traffic can continue through the work zone.

What Drivers Should Know

Caltrans advises drivers to expect delays and to seek alternate routes or allow extra travel time. The closures are scheduled overnight to reduce the impact on commuters. The fast lane in each direction remains open, but the loss of lane 2 and the outer auxiliary lane will narrow the available space for traffic.

The overnight maintenance work is scheduled to take place from Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, into the early hours of Sunday, Aug. 16.

Local Context in Contra Costa and Marin

The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge connects Richmond in Contra Costa County to San Rafael in Marin County. It carries Interstate 580 across San Francisco Bay and is one of the region's busiest crossings. The work is centered on the Richmond side of the bridge, but it will affect drivers in both counties.

Background

The bridge has been a vital East Bay to Marin link for decades. Caltrans routinely performs overnight structural inspections and repairs to keep the aging bridge safe. This weekend's closures are part of that ongoing maintenance program.

Conclusion

Drivers crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge on Saturday night should plan for lane closures and extra travel time. Lane 1 remains open in both directions, but the rest of the bridge will operate with limited capacity until the maintenance work is complete.