Bay Bridge Closure: Wednesday to Lead Traffic-Packed Weekend, Officials Advise Preparation, Offer Alternative Routes (PHOTOS)

Bay Area officials are preparing for the closure of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge by doubling up on train availability, bus and ferry service, in what will surely be a packed next five days.

Come 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, transportation workers will close the bridge used by about 280,000 commuters a day while they finish up the new $6.4 billion crossing that will open late Monday or early Tuesday morning, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The largest portion of construction is already done, so workers will be putting finishing touches like lane stripes and railing on the single-tower connection.

For help planning your trip around the Bay Bridge closure, go to 511.org for other transportation options.