Travelers Encouraged to Use 511 During Dumbarton Bridge Closure

OAKLAND, Calif., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Travelers affected by the closure of the Dumbarton Bridge this Memorial Day weekend can plan ahead by using the tools and services offered by 511. As the Bay Area's traveler information service, 511 offers real-time traffic information, transit trip planning tools, and bicycling resources. 

All lanes in both directions of the Dumbarton Bridge are scheduled to be closed starting Friday, May 25, at 10 p.m. until Tuesday, May 29, at 5 a.m. to complete a major element of a seismic retrofit project.

During the Dumbarton Bridge closure, 511 is featuring a special page with updates about the bridge closure status, a detailed map of detours, and information on transit service available during the closure. Commuters can access the page by visiting http://511.org/dumbartonbridge/DumbartonBrClosureMay2012.

While the bridge is closed, commuters are encouraged to take public transit or alternate driving routes. Motorists should allow extra time for travel and use detour routes, including Route 237 and Highway 92 via the San Mateo Bridge. For real-time conditions on these routes, call 511 and say "Driving Times." It should be noted that the San Mateo Bridge and the Bay Bridge are not open to bicycles and pedestrians.

"511 features the best local resources to help commuters navigate the Bay Area during incidents and closures," said Adrienne Tissier, chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). "Along with up-to-the-minute traffic information, 511 offers two versions of a transit trip planning tool – an online version for web users and a smartphone app that can be downloaded for Android or iPhone."

The 511 Transit Trip Planner is available at 511.org, or for those using smartphones at m.511.org. For information on how to download the new 511 Transit App for iPhone and Android, visit 511's mobile and apps page.

Commuters can also find current traffic conditions and driving times using 511's interactive Traffic and Driving Times Map, the new 511 Traffic (Beta), or by calling 511 and saying either "traffic conditions" or "driving times" from the main menu.

About 511

511 is a one-stop phone and web source for up-to-the-minute Bay Area traffic, transit, rideshare, bicycling, and parking information. It's free of charge and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the nine-county Bay Area. Call 511 or visit 511.org. 511 is managed by a partnership of public agencies led by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the California Highway Patrol, and the California Department of Transportation.

SOURCE Metropolitan Transportation Commission