Update: Eastbound Richmond-San Rafael Bridge reopens as man in crisis rescued
SAN RAFAEL – The eastbound direction of the Richmond-San Rafael bridge reopened Saturday morning, more than 19 hours after all lanes of the lower deck were closed as police responded to a man on the bridge suffering from a mental health crisis.
According to the California Highway Patrol, eastbound Interstate 580 reopened as of 7:03 a.m. Police said the person had requested to come back up and was rescued by the Southern Marin Fire Department.
The lanes were closed at 11:40 a.m. Friday while police attempted to apprehend the man, CHP spokesman Darrell Horner said. Westbound traffic remained open.
"We're just doing what we can to help this individual," Horner said Friday.
The man apparently rode a bicycle onto the bridge's upper, westbound level, then climbed down to the lower, eastbound lanes, he said.
Traffic onto the bridge was closed at Main Street and at Bellam Boulevard in San Rafael, he said.
The closure of the bridge, which is a vital link between the North Bay and East Bay, jammed the few alternate routes available. Impacts of the closure were also felt among commuters in San Francisco.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.
