San Francisco Bay Bridge Approach Reopened After Man Walking On Freeway Stops Traffic

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — A person apparently having a mental health crisis forced the California Highway Patrol to temporarily block all traffic approaching the Bay Bridge from San Francisco Wednesday, authorities said.

The lanes were reopened after a couple of hours but traffic on U.S. Highway 101 northbound and on the Central Freeway headed to the Interstate Highway 80 merge was backed up solidly.

The subject has surrendered and safely detained with no injuries to any emergency personnel. The subject is being transported to San Francisco General Hospital for medical treatment and all eastbound lanes are now being re-opened for traffic.

— CHP San Francisco (@CHPSanFrancisco) September 30, 2020

Police officers surround a man walking on lanes of eastbound I-80 at the Bay Bridge approach, September 30, 2020. (SFPD)

The city’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) said a man wandered onto the Interstate Highway 80 at Bryant St. around 11 a.m. and cut himself across his neck.

CHP units blocked all eastbound lanes and crisis negotiators arrived to try and talk the man off a bridge ledge, the OES said.

Eastbound traffic was diverted off the bridge approach at the 4th St. off-ramp. Eastbound traffic was allowed to pass over the bridge at the Harrison St. and Bryant and 2nd St. onramps. Westbound traffic into San Francisco off the Bay Bridge was also affected.

I-80 traffic snarled approaching the Bay Bridge near 4th street in SF this morning because of a pedestrian standing precariously on concrete traffic barrier. Video courtesy Jim Shanahan. pic.twitter.com/GlG4cl8j1m

— Dennis Shanahan (@dennis_shanahan) September 30, 2020

There’s a dude on the 101 going on to the bay bridge to Oakland standing on the side with blood all over his hands & his jeans are bloody. CHP is just standing there staring at him. they stopped all traffic east bound. #sanfrancisco #bayareatraffic

— Feleciana (@MissFeliz) September 30, 2020

Back up continues on to the San Francisco side of the bay bridge pic.twitter.com/MNnmjBwMfS

— BrianKPIX (@brianyuenKPIX) September 30, 2020

The eastbound lanes were reopened at around 1:20 p.m. after the man surrendered. The CHP said he was safely detained with no injuries to any emergency personnel and was taken to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital for treatment.

If you are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (the Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Crisis workers are available 24 hours a day. Calls are free and confidential.