Topic: Interstate Collapse in Oakland

[Andy Smith]

As many of you have probably already seen (it made the National News), a tanker truck caught on fire on I-880 and due to the heat collapsed the interstate I-580 which sat just above it.  The problem is the interstates that were damaged are in an area called the McArthur Maze which is where all the road systems converge into the toll plazas for the Oakland Bay Bridge.

It is causing traffic nightmares here in the Bay Area, primarily for those leaving San Francisco going toward Oakland.  However, seeing the news this morning, it is no cake walk for those coming into the City from Oakland either.

The only impact this might have to the conference (because repairs will not be completed for awhile) will be for those individuals flying into Oakland airport.  However, if you take public transit (BART) from OAK to the hotel, you will not be impacted at all.  If you rent a car at OAK, then you can expect delays trying to get into the City and back out of the City to return to the airport.  So, give yourself plenty of time.  If you hired a shuttle bus, you will be delayed, but they will know best how to get around traffic to get to the hotel as quickly as they can.

Please see my previous posting regarding transportation to and from the airports to get a better idea of what public transit can do for you

I will keep you posted if there are any major changes or problems dealing with rebuilding the interstates that were damaged.