Bay Bridge demolition behind schedule

OAKLAND, Calif.

Demolition of the old eastern span of the Bay Bridge is months behind schedule because Caltrans put almost all its efforts in getting the new span open last Labor Day weekend. So, officials added $12.7 million to the demolition budget; a move Caltrans says will actually save much more money later in the demolition process.

Soon, Bay Area residents and visitors will be seeing something that hasn't been seen in in three quarters of a century and will appear to defy gravity.Right now, one would have to look underneath the twin peaked cantilever section of the old eastern Bay Bridge to see just how much of it is already gone. Bridge officials have decided to speed up demolition so it can take the rest of the old span down on time or early.

"That is gonna pay for additional crew and equipment to take down both halves of the cantilever at the same time," says Andrew Gordon, Bay Bridge Project Spokesman.

With even mild inflation, the longer it takes, the more it costs.

"The Toll Bridge Project Oversight Committee believes that by keeping us on schedule we will actually see cost savings at the end," says Gordon.

Caltrans Chief Bridge Engineer Brian Maroney says, "So this is what they're gonna be doing in about the next month. Deconstruct this structure in reverse order."

What folks will see is a sight not seen in almost eighty years; a gap that will grow and grow.

"That last cut, when somebody will go, these things, they are no longer touching," said Maroney.

But, with all the modifications such as the s-curve and retrofitting made to the old span, will it come apart the same way it went together or could it collapse or fly apart?

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Bay Bridge demolition behind schedule