Fremont bridge painting: Definitely what we need right now

The city is advising people to “spend more time in Fremont,” ostensibly because it will be damn near impossible to get out. That’s because the Fremont bridge is going to be painted, which will force closures and also generally muck things up. The painting will start week and be completed in…

…wait for it…

…FEBRUARY. During off-peak hours, lanes and the walkway will be closed. Pedestrians and cyclists and drivers (so, everyone) “should allow for additional crossing time due to congestion.

Also, says the City, "the bridge will also open more frequently until painting is completed, as more vessels will require the bridge to open to pass underneath,” because “the painter’s scaffolding and containment system beneath the bridge reduces the vertical clearance above the surface of the Ship Canal.”

“As a result, traffic back-ups resulting from openings of the bridge will occur more often. Drivers are encouraged to use alternative routes if convenient.

Yikes. Everyone stay safe out there and, I guess, take 99 or some other route.