Bay Bridge Lane Closures and I-880 Construction: Oakland Commute Update for March 5

Morning Commute Overview

Commuters in Oakland and the surrounding East Bay should prepare for several significant traffic impacts this Thursday morning, March 5, 2026. While major arteries are currently moving, early morning travelers and those heading toward the Chinatown and Jack London Square districts will face specific lane closures and detours due to ongoing rehabilitation projects and maintenance work.

Bay Bridge and Major Highway Alerts

Early morning travelers heading eastbound from San Francisco into Oakland encountered significant lane closures on the Bay Bridge. As part of the West Span Joint Rehabilitation Project, Caltrans closed lanes 1, 2, and 3 on Eastbound I-80 between Rincon Hill and Yerba Buena Island. While these lanes were scheduled to reopen by 7:00 a.m., residual congestion may linger through the peak morning rush. Drivers are advised to allow for an extra 10 to 15 minutes of travel time if crossing the bridge before 8:30 a.m.

Additionally, the Posey Tube, which connects Alameda to Oakland, was closed overnight for maintenance work. Although the tube was scheduled to reopen at 5:00 a.m., motorists should remain alert for any temporary staging equipment or late-running crews near the Oakland exit.

Oakland Alameda Access Project (OAAP) Impacts

The first phase of the Oakland Alameda Access Project is now in full swing, bringing several localized changes to city streets and freeway ramps:

• Northbound I-880 Oak Street Off-Ramp: The right-turn lane on this ramp is currently closed for long-term widening work. The left-turn and middle (through) lanes remain open, but heavy merging traffic is expected during peak hours.
• Harrison Street: Expect lane reductions on Harrison Street between 4th and 5th Streets. Construction crews are currently staging on the east side of the corridor, which may slow traffic heading toward the Webster Tube.
• 5th Street Corridor: Localized traffic control and lane reductions are in effect between Alice Street and Harrison Street. Pedestrians should follow posted signage for temporary ADA-compliant paths.

Public Transit: BART and AC Transit Updates

Public transportation users should be aware of the following service notes for today:

• BART: Overnight track work between the Coliseum and Bay Fair stations required single-tracking earlier this morning. While full service is being restored, some minor residual delays may affect the Berryessa and Dublin/Pleasanton lines. Additionally, BART continues its system-wide train control modernization, which may result in 30-minute delays for late-night riders after 9:00 p.m.
• AC Transit: Line 93 riders heading toward the Castro Valley BART station should note that the stop at W. A Street and Happyland Avenue is closed today from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. due to local construction.
• San Francisco Bay Ferry: Ferry services are running on their normal weekday schedules. Note that the San Francisco Bay Ferry Board of Directors is scheduled to meet today, though no immediate service changes have been announced.