right on track. that is how caltrans is describing work on the bay bridge so far. sky 7 hd over demolition work. you can see them tearing apart the old+hnz get ready for the

new eastern span, ready for driver autos workers started almost immediately after the atm closure last night this, is video of the work overnight. it's nonstop with the next several days going to be going on and on with opening schedules for tuesday morning the day after labor day. good afternoon, everybody. i'm larry beil. >> we are expecting another update from caltrans in our next half hour, we'll bring it to you live as it happens. right now we want to take you outside. giving you a look at new, and old bridges. >> many commuter who's relie on the bay bridge every day had to decide, you take bart or other transit this morning some decide do you know what? just going to stay home this, is a live look at western span. all empty, only construction rg vehicles on thoibt. >> one more live picture of the old and new bridges from our camera. abc 7 news got a tour of the work done so far. >> grinding and paving is what

it sounds like. crews taking asphalt down from two to six inches lower then paving it. a thousand feet of the westbound approach is being demolished. >> demolition on this side is on track. we've got 90% of the deck knocked loose removing about 17 beams from the structure. >> they're going to put in a temporary connecter going to allow us to open at noon on tuesday. check thought view of the s curve. drivers say gg buy to old welcoming new yerba buena island transition, a thin protective coating being put down entering and leaving the tunnel to create a smooth surface. >> key thing is that construction is going well, we're on schedule. work started last night at 8:00.fvp1h

we don't see anything ahead of us that would cause us to think we're going to get pushed off schedule. >> caltrans officials say the conditions look favorable throughout the weekend. >> with the race on, caltrans is wasting no time with demolition of the old one. >> they won't be able to blow it up and won't be able to knock it down. drivers will watch the old one disappear in march, costing taxpayers $229 million. a true engineer sees the beauty in it. >> sometimes two plates creating an axe. sometimes there is a flat plate with an angle. it's like my grandmother's old

doyley. >> brian is in charge of taking that work apart. a task tougher than it sounds. >> this is a highly strained system. it's almost like a bow and arrow, it's strong. you can't just snap the bow and arrow. >> they can't just drop it into the bay. it's a different material from steel used today. >> you cannot weld on most of the steel. >> caltrans found a way to demolish the old bridge starting with a gaping hole in the middle. >> this is go going to be one of the most fantastic moments. >> if he took a movie and played knit reverse, that is how caltrans plans to take the bridge apart. one piece starting from the middle and working their way out. >> we're going to dismantle the bridge opposite of the way we put it together. >> in the day they were using pencils to design the bridge.

>> some of the parts will be recycled some, sticking around for old time's sake. >> just put in a museum or in a park to commemorate the old bridge. >> it will be tough to take down. >> bart as expected reporting big jumps in ridership. the agency saw more than 30,000 additional riders on trains this morning compared to same time last year. it also carried 427,000 riders yesterday making it the 10th busiest day, ever. trains now running around the clock 24 hours a day through labor day but service is limited to just 14 stations. >> ferries seeing ridership. golden gate ferry ready to carry more passengers this morning.

ridership jumped on the san francisco bay ferries to and from the east bay and vallejo extending schedules. ridership on golden gate buses have not seen much of a change. >> taking you now into afternoon commute z people are leaving san francisco trying to get back to the east bay. without the bay bridge. >> abc 7 is live using technology. >> at least you're moving. >> bad news you can see in this picture, i'm southbound on 101 just now passing sfo. and this is not typical for the area. i can tell you this back up usually doesn't start until millbrae or further south at

this time of the day. northbound 101 moving at the limit. people, a lot of people are exiting 380 to go up to 280 instead of saying on 101. this southbound commute has a rough one here, i think goitsing to get worse closer to 92. >> yes. looking at the time for 4:00 and slow going there. thank you so much. >> focusing on the commute roadways let's check with our abc 7 morning news reporter. >> do you know what if everyone else has to it? traffic this is the least i can do. take a look outside, i can tell you first of all route he was taking is going to take you over an hour to get out of san francisco, once you get this, this is what you've got.

traffic moving along eastbound, those would be headlights coming in the eastbound direction towards hayward that. drive on its own is 25 minutes at this moment. other areas of the bay area you can see plenty of traffic there as well, traffic in the northbound direction southbound side not too bad. >> thank you. >> and we'll be getting an update on how the swork going expect ntd next half hour. >> moving on frkts had made headway on that massive wildfire burning near yosemite national park. making it biggest wildfire in northern california history. the good news is that fire is

gaining on it. we're getting this unique time lapse perspective from this video. fire officials warn with higher temperatures they won't be able tonvç q fully contain ts blaze until september 20th and that is at earliest. >> a truck driver has been found at nault a collision that killed a bicyclist. the 24-year-old struck by the vehicle at 6:00 and folsom streets august 14th. the driver not initially cited after the accident. the police chief said an investigation by officers found he was responsible for the death. the announcement follows a fiery outcry about the department's handling of the accident. >> the federal government announced it will not block laws in colorado and marijuana n a memo the department of justice outlined eight priority areas for enforcing marijuana laws.

50 n.all 50 states including keeping pot out of hands of minors preventing profits from going to criminal operations and keeping marijuana out of states where it is illegal presently. >> following breaking news san jos jay. police arrested a substitute teacher for possessing child pornography saying he taught in the oak grove elementary school district since 2006, before that worked at ymca at simmons elementary. police do not believe westfall had inappropriate contact with students. >> it's been an emotional week for the family of a soldier that received the country's highest military:r,u honor. >> the father is back now. monday at white house and watched and during the ceremony, mr. obama turned to the young son said his dad is

a real american hero. >> just for him, to state it, take a look at your bad that -- dad that, is cool, cool. yes. chills, beyond belief. still thinking about it gives me chills. tears of pride. >> certainly understandable. ty is now touring the country to talk about the effect of post traumatic stress disorder. >> now, let's take a look at the forecast for everybody that is stuck in traffic at least it's sunny right? >> yes. it is sunny and beautiful. stormy weather a powerful thunderstorm moved through. and there are winds gusting up to 70 miles per hour with this storm. there is some flash flood warnings in effect. high 60 freeway flooded with 9í k

flood waters, not moving beyond coast now, it's warm. 68 in san francisco. 80 redwood city and san jose. another live view at the bay bridge, other readings now mid-80s in most locations inland. and 88 degrees here is our jrpz8:u and coastal low clouds during evening and overnight hours. highs ranging from upper 60s at the coast to mid-90s inland. >> spencer, thank you. >> still ahead on abc 7 news at 4:00 some people are happy with the irs today. >> oh, yes. terrifying moments on a race track. a driver loses control trapped and in flames, how he was able to walk away unhurt.

>> and here is a look at golden gate bridge. folks making a get away out of san francisco into marin county. we're looking at bumper to bumper traffic. i'll have details on traffic co

a federal appeals court upheld a ban for gay conversion therapy for children. the law has been on hold since

opponents took it to court. it aims at making gay youth straight. treasury department and irs announced all smerjs will be recognized for federal tax purposes. the change comes after the supreme court struck down the defense of marriage act in june, prohibiting the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. >> on to business news how the apple of china poached a google executive and back in talk was vodafone. >> good afternoon, larry, carolyn. just a week after microsoft ceo steve balmer said he's leaving within a year sources tell bloomberg microsoft is in talks with four scare about making a phone shall investment. four square is a service allowing users to share and save places visited. a stake would give microsoft a larger presence in social media and on mobile. chinese smart phone maker

poached a top google executive. the vice president of leaving. u.s. stocks rose today, sending s and p higher for a second day. your bloomberg silicon valley index is up it's a deal falling apart in the past now verizon is in talks with vodafone again. by letting verizon buy out it's share that, is the story we'll continue to follow. at bloomberg studios in san francisco, larry, carolyn, back to you. >> thank you. >> nfl reached an agreement today to settle lawsuits brought by thousands of former players over brain injuries under the deal the league contributes $765 million to

provide compensation to players. plaintiffs include 10 hall of famers. the judge announcing the settlement called it historic. i know $765 million sounds like a lot of money. nfl makes $9 billion a year this, is 76 $5 to cover everybody so it's a good deal for the league and players will get compensation for injury autos yes. yes. hopefully so. >> let's shift gears now talking weather. warm out there today. >> going to get warmer tomorrow. here is a look at live doppler 7 hd. patches of low clouds near the coastline but not sunny mild

across the bay area right now. here is a view looking over press rid yido sunny skies these are the forecast features, fog near the coast tomorrow, we'll have cooler days this weekend. showing a little bit of a active weather to the north and some thunderstorms here, sunny skies and we'll keep them for a while. starting at 7:00 tonight a bit of fog touching coastline overnight. tomorrow, sunny skies from coast to indland and very warm. we'll see high clouds coming through saturday and sunday, so weekend will be koomer north bay sunday, here is a look at week ahead. temperatures range for oakland, peak of warming will occur

tomorrow, temperatures level off over the weekend and into next week. more of a seasonal range. overnight tonight clear skies but again patches of fog near the coast. low temperatures will be mainly in the low 60s so mild overnight and then, highs tomorrow in the south bay up to low 90s in morgan hill. onczaf7 the peninsula, highs 84t redwood city. 83 palo alto. 66 in pacifica. 70 at half moon bay. good day for going to the beach tomorrow, 729 high downtown. up in the north bay home tomorrow, 92 calistoga. 82 union city. inland east bay really warm, up to 94 in fairfield and antioch. 93 livermore, here is the accu-weather forecast. all areas cooling down

saturday, still up to 90 inland saturday cooler still sunday and monday. we'll warm up at the end of the week. temperatures will drop off after tomorrow. >> coming up next the important event taking place on this day as part of rock and roll and bay area history. >> and fergie and josh

a weekend race car driver is back on the track after a crash at a speedway in pennsylvania. the hobby driver was behind the wheel of the amateur race a weeking ayochl he lost control on a turn, his car rolls onto the side, and watch here, the fuel immediately starts pouring out, pooling directly underneath him. he's trapped and screaming for help. it caught fire it was i have to get out. i lost myself in the flames for a sechblgtd i felt arms grabbing me. pulling me out, put me on the ground. >> wow. >> he was able to walk away uninjured and managed to get back into the same car 30 minutes later and finish the next race. he came in fifth place.

>> how is that snobl. >> i don't know. crazy. >> yes. >> who wants to get near that car? >> yes. >> but did he. >> today marks anniversary of an important event in rock and roll history. last official concert by the beatle autos yes, playing on this date in 1966. about 25,000 people attended the show. >> the group knew it was to be their final concert and grown tired of performing live. >> now, this month paul mccartney was in town performing at outside lands and he reportedly spoke to san francisco mayor ed lee about playing the very last concert at the stick

josh's first child. fergie the popular solo artist and a member of the black eyed peas. dummel known for his roles on "all my children", "trance formers" and more. >> still ahead much more bay bridge coverage. prot gres made on this first full day of the clo skmur bringing that to you live. >> also, we'll have a traffic update from abc 7 morning news reporter for you. >> how to respond if facilities are

so far, so good. bay bridge closure is running smoothly. you can see prot gres of the demolition work from sky 7 hd. crews tear apart of old span to make way for the new eastern span. >> yes. caltrans says work son schedule at this point no delays expect to it prevent the bridge from reopening scheduled on tuesday morning. we have a live look now work will continue. >> we're.

>> and for now, want to take everybody into that afternoon commute this, is a stretch of road you know well. >> trying to get to 92. let's check in now at vick epstein using to bring this live report from the roadway. vic doesn't look like you've moved to have. >> no. i haven't. i'm southbound 101 just now in san mateo. i left the center at 3:30 this afternoon at the foot of braurdway at exback dareo. it's taken me an hour, almost to get to the point. now, normally this would maybe take 35, 40 minutes.

this is building today, on a get away weekend approaching a get away weekend. good news is that northbound 101 traffic here upped the stretch i have seen so far into san francisco moving freely. also, most of the time getting here has been on this stretch of 101 to this point getting out of san francisco. the streets in san francisco on the souchblg market embarcadero there is very little traffic to speak of contracted to yesterday. so that is just from here. >> thank you so much. this is a stretch often very impacted with cars. >> if lure looking at two

hours, maybe two and a half hours and then, merge to 92. >> right. and let's get tout person that knows answers to this. >> yes. good afternoon, well, that is correct. telling us it had taken an hour to get from san francisco from embarcadero and broad way to poplar avenue. to get on to the bridge. looks like information is correct going to take at least an hour if not more t down to highway 92. we have a live shot and let's take a look at that right now. traffic just slower than it was several minutes ago. headlights goitsing to take between 25 minutes and 30 minutes to make it over owe to the east bay. we have another live shot for you. take a look at this, this is

going to be your drive looking out towards mill valley, it's -- don't see roadways here you can see beautiful skies out there. beautiful day. but it's a good day to be in the weather. boy say to be on the road. as we take a look now here we go. 101 freeway, bumper to bumper traffic as you make that push away from san francisco. and over towards 580 if you need to make it over to the bridge that is going to take an hour, 10 minutes. >> thank you. now, barlt is a popular alternative for drivers who use3 @fy the bay bridge. >> within morning hours bart went from this to this. to avoid the crush some started before the train came up. >> the train i came on the unone earlier seemed all right to me. >> in west oakland riders ready fror a worst case

scenario. >> it's going to be crowded i know. yes. soy just have to be patient and wait for, you know, for an empty train to get by. >> fellow psych yiltist had to do just that. wait. they're packed i said get a bike and it's no big deal. >> that is what bart is asking of everyone. >> a lot of people never used bart before. family with this system i encourage people to be patient. maybe extra time into the commute. >> there is issue of parking at bart stations, veilibility and price. >> i would see at 7:00 this morning and we're full. >> $9 is a lot for us. >> it is. >> thursday at mcarthur this parking lot is 550. mcarthur it's 1.50s oodz it should be the same drill tomorrow, only better if computers work out the kink

eyes don't think people know that the bridge is going to be closed today. sop80t tomorrow might be more hectic. >> many say they don't have to worry tomorrow because they're off of work. abc 7 news. >> all right, thank you. and so you can see how it's shaping up throughout the sut down and beyond. >> i think laila is staying up. no rest for her. now, british officials confirmed britain will not be involved in any military strike.

syria expected of using chemical weapons against it's own people. the obama administration briefing congressional leaders about the case for attacking syria. syrian president assad warned his country would defend itself against western military strikes. >> hundreds of south bay educateors learned a lesson today they hope they never have to use what. to do if they encounter an intruder with a gun. san jose city and state police departments joined together to train them in a new program in the event of an active shooter on a campus. >> there are three things you can do to make a difference. run. ride, -- hide. fight. >> the mission of police who organized this session was clear and to the point. >> protect our children, our educators and community. >> the mantra, run, hide, fight or defend as police

prefer to call the last option. hundreds of educators and staff attended. those with facilities where children gather. >> if you're to find yourself in the middle of an active shooter event. >> they rached a -- watched a realistic video simulating a shooting by an armed intruder who enters the campus he looks into the building from that side, unlocked a door. he came through an unlocked gate. >> the gunman began shooting and students run for their lives. >> school people you're going to be the first responder. you're the first one there. and maybe the last one. >> the program is developed from police chiefs after the sandy hook tragedy and other high profile mass shootings. participants said the session gave them a reality check. >> we're not prepared enough.

there are is much more we haven't thought about. >> police briefed those on how to respond and asked us not to disclose their strategy exstopt say their main goal is eliminate the threat. >> i want to take you now live to caltrans news briefing. >> andrew gordon let's listen in. >> so what is hinld us they're getting rid of the ground up pavement. to make room for the fresh asphalt coming n again, behind us they have ground out about two inches so they can put down a good two inch layer. down to about six inches to put in a new system. so again work you can see behind us is completing the

grinding operation that is probably going to continue. that supposed to7srf wrap up tonight. on the westbound lanes behind us, it moves into full paving. >> when do you expect it to be complete? >> not sure but everything is on track for right now. >> once they're done paving will continue so. you can see down that way, they've made progress on the paving over there. so, if you're looking with your cameras you'll capture paving happening front of you. it's both. they want just to have a good improve the driving surface. don't know when they last paved this, they're out here and want tibl to have that fresh path to come here but goes on to and off of the new bridge.

construction has breathing room in case something goes wrong there. is a slim chance we're not going make tuesday morning openings. >> there is a connection at the tunnel. a thin, sandy coating to protect the road deck but it ensures an even level path into and out of the tunnel it's completed on the upper deck continuing to work on it on the bottom deck, again, the tunnel. the work 65 is demolition

of the section that is in the way of the bike path. on the westbound deck. 65% has been taken out. about 17% of the small beams and starting to work on larger beam autos looking ahead at tomorrow? >> they're going to continue overlay work that still needs to be done out of the tunnel and doing preparation for striping at the tunnel here going to be tomorrow. paving on the westbound lane. more demolition further up on the westbound deck. >> what needs to to be done by tuesday at 5:00? >> we don't have that number. i just say, you know you're looking at it if it's been a day and its five days we're 20% of the way there. so any other questions?

>> caltrans giving us an update all is going well. work at the bay bridge is on skedz you'll. >> yes. there is so much going on there. you have demolition on one side andh1tvz this grinding and paving on another. so it's a beehive of activity but the bottom line is that they're pro use gresing on sked yu. i liked this lichblt he said if you're lucky tonight you'll see the paving taking place. >> which is so why not do it?. >> there is the update for

more seasonal temperatures but things are changing. >> spending time talking about ridge. we're heading into a holiday weekend. >> yes. we don't know what the forecast is. >> looking good so far. sunny skies and thunderstorms throughout the afternoon into desert areas and southern california into parts of arizona and as a result of the flash flood warning in affect for a wide area from liver side and palm springs in

affect until 6:00 this evening. thunderstorms feature heavy down pours. looks like a good day for travel. it will be warm and calm. into phoenix area will be steamy, stormy weather. here in california going to be warm to hot in some spots. thunderstorms cover a wider area in southern california tomorrow, here in the bay area sunny, warm to hot. low to mid-80s around the bay tomorrow. and low to mid-90s inland so week is going to end. going into labor day weekend temperatures are going to be a lovely mild weekend. >> yes. >> that is terrific. >> thank you. >> up next san francisco zoo's

newest arrival. he has a home there. >> sending texts is illegal while driving now one state taking the law to a new level who.

a study shows millions of american adults are turning to sleep aids finding 4% of americans uses a sleeping aid in the past 30#áj]p[)÷ >> it probably think you're masking medications might be masking under lying conditions. >> also, so called sleep driving people ending up wheel behind the wheel after taking medication. >> get this. new jersey could have strongest texting and driving laws in the nation. an appeals court there ruled even if you aren't driving you can be prosecuted if you knowingly send a text to someone who is driving and then, they cause an accident.

the ruling in the case of a couple injure injured when a motorcycle was hit by a teenager. so if the couple sued the teen, also suing his girlfriend. new jersey residents have mixed reactions. >> that is absurd just because they know you're driving doesn't mean they know you're looking at it so. they can be texting something you're expecting to read in the future its dangerous. i won't text anyone and i don't answer my phone when you're driving. your life is important. >> everybody did agree to avoiding the phone altogether while driving is the best way to stay out of trouble. >> the san francisco zoo unveiled it's newest arrival today. a komodo dragon. >> this 2-year-old mail is four feet long and still growing. >> it arrives in the knoxville zoo. >> yes.

>> like that. >> also, temperatures stay a toasty 85 degree autos big daddy goes on display this weekend. i don't know if they named him or he named himself. it's very good. >> coming up a program launched to get more people on two wheels. coming up upside to the bay bridge closure and road traffic in the city and reservations at hottest restaurants may be easier. real impact of the businesses and a comparison of incan decemberent light bulbs versus

shhhhh! in our day, we didn't have u-verse high speed internet.

yeah, our babysitter didn't have a million ways to serve mom up on a silver platter. we had to count sheep to fall asleep. and i always worried that i was creating an overcrowded sheep farm. in my head... never looked like that farmer took proper care of those sheep. too much? a little. [ male announcer ] connect all your wi-fi-enabled devices with u-verse high speed internet. rethink possible. at 8:00 it's the two hour season finale of "motive". >> san francisco san jose and three cities kicked off a new

bike sharing program today. >> yes. take a look at these now available in the areas. we're live now from one of the stations. >> you can see them. this is one time san francisco  trend setter. dc, boston, new york, chicago have programs. san francisco is finally on board. and they're off taking a spin. seven hundred of the bikes are now available to the public 24-7 in san francisco and other city autos went down on the road we have or are having. >> psych yilists use a credit card. during that time, they can

take as!oá many 30 minute jauns as they would like. >> this is a good start. everything is paid for. both bikes and station autos the project is funded by several agencies including mtv c. >> i get to seat city you're not always snuck a cab, whatever, you can stop were you wachblt they've got stations around. >> he's from washington, d.c. where they, too, have a program. there is also one inmont streel. there is concern about] a flood of newbies on the street. >> it's dangerous but i think if everybody would slow down,

we can get along. >> in san francisco, abc 7 news. >> great idea. >> yes. >> thanks for joining us for abc 7 news at 4:00. >> thank you. bridge construction is well underway. we'll update you on progress crews made and whether there are snag that's could delay the opening. >> and upside of the closure especially for those working and dining in san francisco. >> from the broadcast center, will this trend last throughout the labor day weekend? coming up. >> so far, so good. the nur closure project is proceeding as planned. this time lapse video from our

camera shows crews hard at work converting a path to the new eastern span. the bridge is scheduled to open a traffic again by 5:00 a.m. tuesday, and the day after the labor day. good evening, thanks for joining us. >> i'm cheryl jengs. a main part involved5dt/ demolishing a thousand feet of the old bridge. that is taking another look you can see bridges side by side there and let's take a look at another look from our south beach camera. just minutes ago we got an update from caltrans on the construction going according to plan. >> work is progressing very well. we are on schedule. out at the tunnel. they have completed a polliester overlay on the

upper deck. once that has dried thaim able to start striping within the next day. >> chp says there have been no major problems officials say there has not been a huge increase in delaysc> only about 10-15 minutes more. it's a race against the clock to get that new eastern span ready for traffic we're starting the money the bridge was last night. >> heather? >> caltrans tells ugs they have wiggle room f they do encounter problems they still hope to be able to make tuesday morning opening. so far, they haven't encountered set backs. a 1,000 foot section of the old approach to the bridge is well on its way to being gone. crews are starting on the bridge working back towards kl