Golden Gate Bridge Bike Path To Close For Renovation
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – Golden Gate Bridge officials are set to temporarily close the west sidewalk on the span, the latest in a series of construction projects before the bridge celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2012.
The Golden Gate Bridge District is working with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy to improve a section of the Bay Trail, which connects state parkland with the span.
So starting in early January, the west sidewalk will be cordoned off for three months.
"The hairpin turn is going to see some improvements. It's going to be widened and regraded," said Golden Gate Bridge District spokesperson Mary Currie. "The access onto the west sidewalk will see some definite improvements."
Currie said the work will make things more crowded as bicyclists will have to share the east sidewalk with pedestrian and sightseers. But she doesn't expect any major problems.
"The accident rate during the closure over the summer, the peak of the sidewalk use, was actually lower," said Currie. "It was because the cyclists were forced to go a lot slower."
KCBS' Bob Butler Reports:
Depending on weather conditions, the sidewalk is expected to be reopened in early April.
The iconic span is celebrating its 75th anniversary in May.
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