Tom Warne Report, 14 May 2013
TREASURE ISLAND, Calif. – Caltrans has found a solution on how to fix the broken bolts on the Bay Bridge, but unfortunately it will not be cheap. The agency announced this week that it will cost between $5 million and $10 million to fix the problems with the new Bay Bridge, and there is no longer a guarantee for the scheduled opening on Labor Day weekend.
Caltrans said it has selected a steel saddle system to retrofit and reinforce three dozen faulty bolts that broke a few months ago after they were installed on the new bridge. Since the cracked steel rods are encased in concrete, they cannot remove them and replace them with new ones. Instead, officials plan to strengthen the structure the rods are part of.
The repairs could take several months.
