Caltrans plans to completely close I-680 southbound in San Ramon next weekend

Tri-Valley residents and those traveling through should expect traffic delays later this month as Caltrans plans to completely close a section of southbound Interstate 680.

According to a news release from the Department of Transportation, construction crews will close the highway between Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon and the junction of I-580 and I-680 in Pleasanton from the night of Friday (September 20) through the following Monday morning (September 23).

The weekend closure is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on Friday and last until 4 a.m. next Monday morning.

However, Caltrans said all connections between I-580 and I-680 “will remain open in the far right lanes of southbound I-680.”

“The I-680 and I-580/I-680 northbound interchanges will remain open and will not be affected by the closure,” said Janis Mara, a spokeswoman for the transportation agency, in the press release. “We recommend that motorists take alternate routes to reduce traffic congestion within the construction zone on I-680 southbound in the cities of San Ramon and Dublin.”

According to the press release, an authority contractor will replace this portion of the existing roadway with a new surface during the closure.

“The work will repair the damaged pavement and improve motorist safety while reducing the number of nighttime closures for the project,” Mara said in the release. “This weekend closure will complete the amount of work that would otherwise require an estimated 40 nighttime closures.”

Caltrans recommends that those traveling west on I-80 in Vacaville and Fairfield stay on the same highway and head south onto Interstate 880. Those traveling south on I-680 near the Benicia Bridge should take I-780 west to I-80 to access I-880 south.

Caltrans also said drivers heading south on I-680 in Concord can take Highway 4 over I-80 and then south to I-880. Those heading south on I-680 in Walnut Creek can take Highway 24 over I-80 and then to I-880.

The southbound Saint Patrick Way ramp onto I-680 in Dublin will also be completely closed.

Finally, those traveling south on I-680 in Danville can merge onto Interstate 580 West to Highway 238 to reach I-880 South, or they can head east on I-580 to merge onto Highway 84 to reach I-680 South.

Mara further explained that in addition to the complete closure of southbound I-680, the leftmost express lane and left shoulder on northbound I-680 between Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin and Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon will also be closed.

After the weekend closure, the transportation agency will partially close the same location two more times — from October 4 to 7 and again from October 18 to 21. These two additional partial closures will allow motorists to travel southbound on I-680, as opposed to the full closure next weekend.

In the event of rain or other unforeseen developments, Caltrans said closures would be postponed and the public would be notified.

“Caltrans recognizes that the closures will impact motorists and measures are being taken to minimize inconvenience,” Mara said in the release. “Caltrans thanks motorists in advance for their patience while we work to improve I-680.”