Bay Bridge closure | ABC30 Fresno | abc30.com

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By ABC30

Thursday, September 3, 2009

California News A traffic mess will start in the bay area when the bay bridge closes for construction on a new bridge.

Eric Rabichow and Sharon Waisman's wedding website includes a few nice shots of the couple, and the bay bridge.

Eric Rabichow, Groom on Treasure Island said: "Personally I thought, this is cool, it'll be VIP. We'll get special bridge passes. My fiancé had a bit of a freak-out. "

They booked their treasure island wedding and reception a year-and-half ago, and found out in April that Caltrans had big plans of its own for labor day weekend.

But the full bridge closure will not stand in the way of Eric and Sharon's nuptials - Caltrans is giving their 185 guests special passes for the Sunday evening event.

Now the groom just has to lay off the martial arts practice where he broke his finger last night.

While he's taking his vows, Caltrans workers will be working furiously to get the old Cantilever Bridge connected to a new detour.

The bridge closes Thursday Night at 8, and is not scheduled to re-open until Tuesday morning at 5.

Bart will run 24-hours, and the alternate bridges toll booths will be fully manned.

But the I-80 and 101 freeways could back-up where un-knowing motorists are funneled off to surface streets, many could be tourists who only found out about the closure at the airports rental car counters. Regular commuters are making alternate plans.