A full southbound closure of San Francisco’s US-101 Hospital Curve is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 16–19, giving drivers almost two weeks to plan around one of the city’s most consequential freeway work zones.
Caltrans says all southbound US-101 lanes between Cesar Chavez Street and 17th Street will close at 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 and reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19. One northbound lane will also close, while the remaining northbound lanes stay open.
Exactly when is southbound 101 closed?
| Closure | Start | Expected reopening |
|---|---|---|
| All southbound US-101 lanes at Hospital Curve | Friday, Oct. 16 at 11 p.m. | Monday, Oct. 19 at 6 a.m. |
| One northbound US-101 lane | Same weekend work window | Monday morning, subject to work completion |
The work is weather dependent. Caltrans has reopened earlier than planned on some previous Hospital Curve weekends, but drivers should plan around the full published closure window rather than assume an early finish.
What detour does Caltrans recommend?
Caltrans is telling southbound drivers to avoid the area and use southbound I-280 or another route. For trips through San Francisco toward the Peninsula, I-280 is the most important freeway alternative.
Local surface streets around Cesar Chavez, the Mission, Potrero Hill and the 101/280 approaches can also absorb displaced traffic, so the practical impact is likely to extend beyond the freeway itself.
Does northbound 101 stay open?
Yes, but not at full capacity. Caltrans says one northbound lane will be closed during the Oct. 16–19 work while the remaining northbound lanes stay open. That means northbound trips may still slow even though there is no full northbound shutdown.
Why is Caltrans closing Hospital Curve again?
The closure is part of the broader US-101 Bayshore Freeway rehabilitation project that began in fall 2025. Caltrans says this weekend begins the first of two southbound repaving closures, with another southbound work weekend planned in November.
The project has already required several major weekend configurations on Hospital Curve. This October closure is different from the earlier northbound shutdowns because the full closure is now on the southbound side.
Who should care even if they do not use 101?
Drivers headed to SFO, the Peninsula or the South Bay may shift toward I-280. That can raise volumes on 280 and on connector streets feeding the freeway. People traveling through the Mission, Potrero Hill, SoMa and the 101/280 interchange should allow extra time even if their route never enters the closed segment.
What should you check on Friday, Oct. 16?
Caltrans may revise the schedule for weather or construction conditions. Before leaving, recheck the official advisory and use the SF News Today live dashboard for current traffic and transit conditions. SF News Today will update this same URL if the closure timing changes.