Caltrans activates overhead signs on I-80 SMART Corridor near San Francisco

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has activated close to 100 overhead signs on 11 structures that extend across Interstate 80 from the Carquinez Bridge to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

The activation comes after weeks of testing on what the agency calls the I-80 SMART Corridor.

The illuminated signs indicate clear lanes with a green arrow, and problem lanes with either a yellow or red X in Lane Use Signs (LUS) and speed advisories with Variable Advisory Speed Signs (VASS).

The signs only are lit up when there is a “lane-blocking” incident on the highway. Caltrans says when such an incident is determined, the LUS and VASS will light up and are “actively-managed.”

The agency says 25 collisions or lane-blocking incidents are reported each week and believe the signs will help guide motorists out of block lanes and create clearer paths for emergency responders.