Caltrans addresses new concerns with Bay Bridge

OAKLAND, Calif.

Caltrans called reporters in Tuesday to update several items pertaining to the new eastern Bay Bridge span and the demolition of the old one.

During the talk, it quickly became a spirited defense of yet another allegations of alleged new span defects.

There are allegations that the steel road decks on the signature tower suspension span were miss-fitted and welded in a way that they'll break from normal use or in an earthquake.

The position of the project is that this is not an issue. It does not affect the structural stability of the bridge. It does not affect its seismic performance in the event of an earthquake, said Andrew Gordon, Bay Bridge Project Spokesman.

Caltrans also commented on several hundred water leaks, into supposedly water tight steel road decks, found when it rained a couple of weeks ago.

There are leak holes, there's dehumidification, we anticipated water and we have the steps in place to manage this issue, said Gordon.

Gordon continued, saying demolition of the old bridge road decks continues on schedule with work to dismantle the double-peaked cantilever section to be obvious next month. He also says the pedestrian and bike path will be closed on weekends in April to install the permanent connector to the Oakland side. The connection to Yerba Buena Island is still more than a year away.

KTVU put a series of question to him regarding the $6.4 billion bridge.

Is this bridge now and will it perform in the future as designed?

Follow this link:
Caltrans addresses new concerns with Bay Bridge