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Golden Gate Bridge Reopens After Movable Median Barriers Installed Over Weekend

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The Golden Gate Bridge reopened Sunday evening after the longest closure of the span ever to allow installation of a movable median barrier.

The bridge opened around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, about six hours ahead of schedule after closing Friday at midnight for the construction project.

1,500 pound concrete and steel movable dividers were installed to separate the north and southbound lanes of traffic.

With the barrier is installed, speed limits have been reduced to 45 miles per hour on the Waldo Grade, from the previous 55 miles per hour.

Lane sizes will also be reduced by six more inches. For a large vehicle like the 7'1″ Hummer H1, that leaves less than 14 inches on either side.
WIDEST LANE: Curb lanes will continue to be 11 feet after Monday.
NEXT WIDEST: Other lanes are 10 feet, except for the two next to the new foot-wide concrete median.
NARROWEST: Lanes adjacent to the concrete barrier will now be only 9 feet, 6 inches wide.

The estimated cost of the project is $30.3 million, with $20 million from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission via the state of California, $1.3 million in federal funds and $5.1 million from Golden Gate Bridge toll revenues.

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Zipper truck preparing for construction of a movable median on the Golden Gate Bridge (photo credit: Anna Duckworth, KCBS)

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Simulated image of moveable median barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge. (Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District)

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Simulated image of moveable median barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge. (Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District)

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