What is causing the overnight Bay Bridge backups, leaving drivers frustrated? Caltrans responds

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Caltrans is considering changes after complaints about growing overnight delays on the Bay Bridge.

Crews have been closing lanes as part of a lengthy construction project. We spoke with Caltrans and frustrated drivers about the late-night traffic.

Gridlock traffic could be seen along Harrison Street in San Francisco as drivers tried to get onto the eastbound lanes of the Bay Bridge last Wednesday night.

The only work crews we eventually saw were those near Treasure Island.

"Is that just what we'll see going forward? Just the crews doing work, not traffic mitigation?" ABC7 Eyewitness News Reporter J.R. Stone asked Caltrans.

MORE: Expanded Bay Bridge bike lanes among Caltrans future projects, more coming to Bay Area highways

"There is traffic mitigation happening on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge when it comes to the CHP, mitigating traffic in that area. But again, we're definitely going to start looking at other ways where we can definitely alleviate that traffic," said Pedro Quintana of Caltrans.

That's good news for the hundreds of people who chimed in on the overnight bridge construction and traffic when asked on social media.

Trev Greenlaw wrote, "The bridge has been a mess the past two months. Both east and west."

One woman wrote, "It took me two hours to get on the bridge one day."

The overnight traffic stems from the Bay Bridge Rehabilitation Project, involving joints on the bridge and re-painting, among other things.

The video above was recorded on a night when both the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Valkyries had home games, and there were Mexico World Cup viewing parties all across the city.

"That's kind of like a perfect storm where we really didn't anticipate that, right? And so, for us, now what we're going to do is go back to the drawing board. Make sure that folks, again, have access to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge," Quintana said.

Quintana said currently Caltrans closes one eastbound lane at 10 p.m., two lanes at 11 p.m., and three lanes at midnight on certain days Sunday through Thursday. This work is expected to last until summer 2027. After seeing this traffic, Caltrans is looking at possibly starting later on certain nights.

But Michael Perkocha, who lives in Oakland, said the problems aren't limited to those big sporting nights.

"It's not just the organized events, which dump thousands of cars on the road at one time, but it's all the clubs and bars and other venues. I understand the roadwork takes a long time, but they need to have better communication, and really closing down three lanes is just a killer," said Perkocha.

Perkocha likes to come to San Francisco at night.

He's now taken two $90 Uber rides just to get home and, like others, is questioning how often he should come to the city.

Caltrans District 4 issued this statement:

"The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is currently undergoing a joint rehabilitation project that is scheduled for completion in Spring 2027. Overnight construction activities are conducted Sunday through Thursday nights on eastbound I-80. The planned lane closure schedule includes the closure of one lane at 10:00 p.m., two lanes at 11:00 p.m., and three lanes at 12:01 a.m., while maintaining two lanes open for public travel.

As part of the project planning process, Caltrans carefully evaluates major regional events, including Giants and Valkyries games, as well as other significant events within the city. Caltrans will continue to coordinate closely with its partners to ensure timely, clear, and accurate public communications regarding planned lane closures. These efforts are intended to provide motorists with advance notice, support informed travel planning, and help improve traffic flow in advance of scheduled closure times."