580 thru Oakland - No trucks over xxlb?

[NVR FNSH]

There are a couple of big signs on 580 south/east thru Oakland that say something to the effect of "No trucks over 8000lb east of Grand Ave on 580". Does this also mean no pickups/5th wheels? The wife & I stayed on 580 because I wasn't about to get of the freeway with a 36ft 5th wheel behind me in that area - too tight of quarters and I wasn't properly equipped... . I didn't see any low bridges etc so I'm really curious what the deal is.



Where can I find out what those signs really mean - website/phone etc



My parents and another couple are leaving from Santa Rosa on Wednesday for Bakersfield - 580 is the most direct route. Hwy 12 is the other realistic option from here - 780>680 is a friggin' mess with the trailer.



Thanks,

Brian

 

[Joe G.]

From what I remember of Oakland Tribune stories when they were building that thing was that they didn't want heavy commercial diesel trucks on it. Your private RV stuff is probably ok. Better check with Caltrans to make sure.

 

[Shovelhead]

In Washington D. C. suburbs, we have Rt. 110 which runs beside the Pentagon.

They have erected signs forbidding vehicles with more than 4 wheels from using this section of road.

I found out that this also includes pick-ups with "training-wheels".

I pointed out to the Virginia State trooper (in a VEEEERY nice way) that both Ford, and Chebby make a 1 ton truck with only 4 wheels that could carry as much as mine. His reply with a grin was "I don't make the rules..... I just inforce them"



It's the "illusion" of security that counts.

 

[Joe G.]

In Oakland it was a noise and smoke issue from what I recall. It's been a few years since they built the MacArther Freeway, but that's what the controversy was about as best as I can remember. It goes thru a lot of residential areas.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

I drove 580 to work each day for 3 years and no one bothered me for driving there. CA has lots of stupid rules like that. This was a compromise to get that highway built. The traffic is bad enough as it is, but without those extra 8 lanes 880 (the only local alternative) would be complete gridlock.

 

[JPittman]

I live about 25 miles from that area and do travel it. It applies to commercial vehicles. As others stated it's a noise issue since it goes thru residential areas. The only time they allow commercials on 580 is if there is a accident on 880 with lanes blocked. I have seen motorhomes, etc. on that strench of 580. If they're worried about 580 thru Oakland or 780 to 680, they can always come down 80 to 580 to 24 east (thru the tunnel), 680 south and pickup 580 East in Dublin.

 

[Loren]

Unless things have changed since I lived in the area, you can't go through that tunnel between Orinda and Oakland with propane tanks. That would eliminate the RV.



Loren