Heads Up El Cerrito Drivers: I-80 SMART Corridor Goes Live Thursday (Video)

EL CERRITO, CA — If you regularly drive on I-80, your commute is about to change.

Caltrans will activate nearly 100 signs mounted on 11 overhead structures spanning the Interstate 80 in the Bay Area. The overhead signs are going “live” on August 25, 2016, and potentially impacting motorists traveling on the busy I-80 corridor from the Carquinez Bridge to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Caltrans has sent out a video News Flash. Spokesperson Shannon Brinias shows drivers what to expect.

The new actively-managed signs will consist of Lane Use Signs (LUS) and Variable Advisory Speed Signs (VASS). The signs will remain dark unless a lane-blocking incident happens within the I-80 corridor. Once a lane-blocking incident is reported or detected, the LUS and VASS will illuminate with graphical traveler information to help guide motorists into the clear lanes. An average of 25 collisions or lane-blocking incidents are reported in this corridor daily. Responsive signage and active management will guide motorists out of blocked lanes and provide a clear, safer path for emergency responders.

Testing has been underway for several weeks leading up to signage activation. This process is part of the sequenced activation of the I-80 SMART Corridor.

--Frame grab of Caltrans YouTube video