Be Safe and Prepared on the Road this Memorial Day Weekend

If you're leaving Los Altos for the weekend, or just planning day trips, here are some traffic tips.

Due to planned construction, the Dumbarton Bridge will be closed in both directions starting 10 p.m. on Friday, May 25th until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29th for all traffic, including cyclists. Motorists should expect delays on other Bay Area bridges during this closure, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commision.

Also, due to the celebration for the scheduled for Sunday, May 27 heavy traffic is expected in the late afternoon and evening. The Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic during the fireworks display between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., and to pedestrians and bicyclists from 6 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. Expect very heavy traffic and major delays after 10:00 pm, said MTC.

The California State Automobile Association estimates that 4.2 million Californians will travel more than 50 miles this holiday weekend.

More than 80 percent of these travelers will shrug off higher gas prices and drive.

Currently, the average cost for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $4.08, or a dollar higher than it was on Memorial Day 2010.

Another 460,000 people will fly this weekend—about 11 percent more than last year—even though air fares have risen 14 percent nationwide.

About 200,000 people will travel by rail, bus, watercraft or other modes, down 12 percent from last year.

However you travel, be patient, don't drink and drive, and be safe. 

Additional reporting by David Mills

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