Alcatraz Island closed for 3 weeks, tours canceled as crews repair ferry dock

Alcatraz Island, one of San Francisco's famed tourist attractions, is off limits to visitors starting Monday, as a three-week project to repair the ferry dock begins.According to the National Park Service, crews are replacing pilings that secure the dock to the island. Repairs are expected to be completed by Nov. 18, but officials noted that inclement weather or other factors may change the repair timeline."Completing the repair work this fall will help ensure safe and reliable public access to Alcatraz Island for years to come," the agency said in a statement.Park Service officials said the work follows two previous closures earlier this year. In January, the dock was closed for nine days after one of the pilings supporting the ferry dock failed.Alcatraz City Cruises, which operates ferry service to and from the island, found two of the pilings needed repair. In early April, the company worked to strengthen the three serviceable pilings, which led to a six-day closure.After the April