The biggest change — the closure of one lane on the Bay Bridge — doesn’t go into effect until Tuesday — and morning commuter traffic typically seemed sluggish but largely unaffected. Many commuters appeared to avoid driving over the bridge Monday morning, and the traffic jam appeared to ease by 8 a.m
The most important APEC events take place later this week – and with them the expected traffic chaos.
The changes to Muni service went into effect this morning, but other than the planned detour, the transit agency reported no problems. BART also reported normal service during the morning commute.
There are APEC security barriers in Nob Hill, causing traffic problems. Video: Aldo Toledo
The four-day lane closure at the Bay Bridge, designed to allow police officers to monitor traffic and provide faster access to San Francisco, takes effect at 5 a.m. Tuesday and lasts until 9 p.m. Friday. Daily closures of Interstate 80 exits at Fourth and Fifth Streets are scheduled from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., but traffic will be allowed outside of those hours, Caltrans officials said.
The secured zones extend from Market Street to Harrison Street and Second Street to Fifth Street in downtown San Francisco and around the hotels on Nob Hill.
The exclusion zones will not officially come into full effect until the end of the week – on Tuesday at 10 p.m. on Nob Hill and on Wednesday at 10 p.m. around the Moscone Center. Only registered vehicles are allowed in the areas, which are subject to inspections and identification checks before entry.
Pedestrians will be allowed to enter the areas without ID or security checks – except for the high security zones closest to the APEC event venue.
Several Muni lines that regularly run through these areas will also be rerouted or suspended, including the California Cable Car line, which will not operate this week, and the Powell Street lines, which do not go to Nob Hill and will not start until Washington Street. Muni Metro subway service on the Central Subway segment of the T-Third line will also be suspended, although a shuttle train will run between the Rose Pak/Chinatown and Union Square/Market Street stations.
All of these changes planned by the US Secret Service are subject to change. There were already road closures outside of the planned times because the emergency services had erected steel fences and concrete barriers in secured areas. Further changes are expected, including temporary closures as dignitaries and their entourages arrive.
City officials have advised commuters to plan ahead, avoid driving and use public transportation in and out of San Francisco.
Reach Michael Cabanatuan: [email protected]; Twitter: @ctuan