Golden Gate Bridge: Closed

     In the longest closure in its history, San Francisco residents must find an alternative to the famous rust red colored bridge- a symbol of the City.  Shutdown at midnight last night, the bridge will be closed to through traffic until Monday morning, 4 am.   A new, engineered, moveable center traffic barrier will be installed.  This system has been a subject of debate for almost 20 years.  It is now here.
As an undivided thoroughfare, the thousands of commuters who transited the bridge daily were always subject to the anxieties of 2-way traffic moving at high speed just a few feet away.   All drivers held out hope they would pass unscathed during the 1 mile journey.
     While rare, the threat of another vehicle crossing the double yellow line was never far from a driver's thoughts.
     On Monday, drivers will confront a new, safer bridge.  Finally.
Stay alert if you drive over on Monday, and for the next few weeks as people become familiar with its properties.