Here's what to know about the Hwy. 101 closure in SF this Labor Day weekend
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Drivers heading into San Francisco on Highway 101 will need to find another route this Labor Day weekend as Caltrans shuts down all northbound lanes through Hospital Curve.
The closure stretches from Cesar Chavez Street to 17th Street and begins at 11 p.m. Friday. All northbound lanes are scheduled to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday. Southbound Highway 101 will remain open.
Caltrans is urging northbound drivers to use Interstate 280 as a detour or consider public transportation. The closure could also impact travelers coming into San Francisco from the Peninsula and San Francisco International Airport.
Despite the holiday weekend, Caltrans says its traffic data show fewer vehicles typically head into San Francisco over Labor Day compared with a normal weekend.
"From experience of the Labor Day closures, we've seen a decrease in traffic coming into the city," Caltrans District 4 spokesperson Pedro Quintana said. "So that is the reason why we are strategically planning this weekend."
The closure is part of Caltrans' ongoing rehabilitation of Highway 101 through Hospital Curve. The roughly 70-year-old roadway is reaching the end of its service life.
LIVE: Get traffic updates here
Crews will work around the clock this weekend to remove aging concrete from the two right northbound lanes and replace it with continuous reinforced concrete pavement designed to last about 40 years.
"There's never a good time to close a major freeway like U.S. 101," Quintana said. "But we have to get this work done."
Caltrans says completing the work during a full weekend closure will significantly reduce the amount of overnight construction needed later.
This will not be the last full closure. All northbound lanes through Hospital Curve are scheduled to close again from 11 p.m. Sept. 18 to 6 a.m. Sept. 21 as crews continue pavement repairs.
The work is part of a larger rehabilitation project covering 15.4 lane miles of Highway 101 between the Candlestick Point area and the Mission District. The project also includes drainage and median barrier improvements and is expected to continue into 2028.
'Pack your patience': Labor Day Weekend closure of Highway 101 causes delays in San Francisco
Drivers traveling through San Francisco this Labor Day weekend are being urged to plan ahead as a heavily traveled stretch of northbound Highway 101 remains closed for a major repaving project.
Caltrans shut down all northbound lanes of Highway 101 at the Hospital Curve between Cesar Chavez and 17th streets Friday night. Crews are replacing aging pavement along one of the busiest freeway corridors in the city.
According to Caltrans, about 2,800 tons of asphalt has already been removed as of Saturday, as work continues around the clock.
"As you can see behind me, crews have been working around the clock," said Caltrans spokesperson Pedro Quintana. "They've torn out all that old pavement that's been deteriorating for years, getting ready to lay down new pavement that's going to last for 40 years."
The closure is forcing drivers off the freeway at Cesar Chavez Street and onto city streets before reconnecting farther north, creating backups both on Highway 101 and along detour routes including Potrero Avenue.
Caltrans says Interstate 280 is the preferred alternate route.
"We're asking folks to plan ahead, pack your patience. 280 is your best route," Quintana said.
Some drivers caught in the congestion said they were unaware of the weekend closure.
Rauhl Garg was traveling from San Jose with plans to visit Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square.
"No, we weren't aware of it," Garg said. "We were stuck for quite some time."
The delays prompted some motorists to pull over for gas and snacks while waiting out the traffic.
"I think I have no choice," said driver Ray Gonzalez. "Putting gas in and getting a snack. I'm going to pay the price."
Despite the inconvenience, some drivers said they understand the need for the project.
"I don't know what all the construction is about, but it's probably a good thing," one motorist said.
Caltrans expects all northbound lanes to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, Labor Day. Officials say drivers can look forward to a smoother ride once the project is complete.
"A much smoother ride comes this Monday," Quintana said.
The agency says this will not be the last full closure at the Hospital Curve. Another weekend shutdown of all northbound lanes is planned for the weekend of Sept. 18 as pavement rehabilitation work continues.
