Construction crews from Sacramento-based MCM Construction and Caltrans are repairing the damaged section of the Bay Bridge but aren't sure exactly what day and at what time the bridge will re-open to traffic. Engineering expert witnesses around Northern California offered cautions but also said the
failure of the Labor Day solution doesn't mean bridges can't be fixed
quickly. Civil engineering expert Dauwn Cheng, assistant professor of civil engineering at UC Davis, said she was "shocked" by the failure.
Caltrans officials closed the bridge Tuesday when a newly installed 100-foot-long steel rod snapped, pulling another rod and part of a 6,000-pound steel clamp down onto the roadway during the evening commute, damaging three vehicles but causing only minor injuries. Wednesday, Caltrans officials acknowledged the design did not work. They said they believe high winds caused the patch's 100-foot-long metal rods to vibrate and rub against other, causing one to break.
Source: www.sacbee.com.
Caltrans officials closed the bridge Tuesday when a newly installed 100-foot-long steel rod snapped, pulling another rod and part of a 6,000-pound steel clamp down onto the roadway during the evening commute, damaging three vehicles but causing only minor injuries. Wednesday, Caltrans officials acknowledged the design did not work. They said they believe high winds caused the patch's 100-foot-long metal rods to vibrate and rub against other, causing one to break.
Source: www.sacbee.com.
