New Westbound I-80 Bay Bridge Ramps Smooth Access to and From Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island

(Adapted from a San Francisco County Transportation Authority release.)

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) in collaboration with the Treasure Island Development Authority and Caltrans opened the new westbound Interstate 80 on- and off-ramps connecting Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to traffic on Saturday, October 22, 2016. The $98 million ramps, which were funded by the Federal Highway Administration Bridge Program and State Proposition 1B funds, will provide increased safety for those traveling to and from the islands.

The new ramps were built in conjunction with the new East Span of the Bay Bridge. With the new ramps, westbound motor vehicle access to the islands is moved from the left side of the upper deck of the East Span of the Bay Bridge to the right side. The first major capital project delivered by SFCTA, the ramps provide vital infrastructure for San Francisco’s newest emerging neighborhood, located on the islands.

Federal Highway Administration Division Administrator Vincent Mammano praised the multi-agency collaboration that characterized the 31-month construction effort. “Congratulations to the Transportation Authority and its partners on the smooth and timely delivery of this complex project,” said Mammano. “The high degree of coordination among Caltrans, the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA, an offshoot of MTC), the U.S. Coast Guard and Treasure Island Development Authority was instrumental to the success of this project and other major nearby construction efforts at this challenging site.”

The construction workers overcame several challenges when completing the job, including relocating Coast Guard Quarters 10 (a historic Navy house), making sure pile driving for the ramp supports did not damage nearby historic buildings, and ensuring a smooth tie-in with the existing Bay Bridge.

“Congratulations to all the partners who contributed to this project,” said San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener, who is chair of the Transportation Authority and who serves on MTC’s governing Commission and its BATA affiliate. “As we grow as a city and region we need to continually invest in our local and regional transportation infrastructure. This ramps project demonstrates the Transportation Authority’s commitment to that effort.”

“These new Interstate 80 westbound on- and off-ramps to Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island show how well San Francisco, MTC and Caltrans continue to partner together on funding solutions and project delivery to achieve critical results to improve mobility and traveler safety,” said Bijan Sartipi, Caltrans District 4 Director and an MTC commissioner.

“In the coming years, Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island will be home to an estimated 20,000 new residents,” said Jane Kim, San Francisco supervisor for District 6, which encompasses both islands. “The new ramps will help ensure that residents, commuters and visitors have a safe, convenient way to get on and off the Islands.”

Treasure Island Development Authority President V. Fei Tsen echoed these sentiments: “After many years of planning, we are delighted to see the completion of these new eastside ramps, which expand access to the Islands and boost our economic development plans.”

For images and more background on the project: http://www.sfcta.org/YBI-I-80-interchange-improvement-project

About the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (www.sfcta.org)

Created in 1989, the Transportation Authority spearheads strategic planning and allocates funding for transportation-related projects in San Francisco. The Transportation Authority administers the city’s Prop. K half-cent transportation sales tax, the Prop AA $10 annual vehicle registration fee program and the Transportation Fund for Clean Air. The Transportation Authority also serves as San Francisco’s Congestion Management Agency and is the Treasure Island Mobility Management Agency.