The Eastern span of the Bay Bridge is the region’s biggest-budget project. Plans for the seismically strong segment were first developed in 2002. It’s been more than a decade and the single suspension structure has cost more than $6 billion, which makes it overdue and over budget.
Recent issues involving snapping rods and improperly galvanized bolts may delay the long-awaited Labor Day opening.
San Francisco Chronicle reporter JaxonVanderbeken has been covering the Bay Bridge controversies. KALW’s Ben Trefny sat down with him for a wide-ranging conversation. He started by asking whether CalTrans has been upfront about why there have been so many problems.
JAXON VANDERBEKEN: CalTrans has to make some decisions about whether it’s going to open the bridge as scheduled for Labor Day weekend. On July 10th, they say they should have that question answered -- whether they are going to be making the deadline. Whether they are going to have resolved these issues about how they chose these rods and anchors and bolts -- I don’t know if that is ever going to be satisfactorily answered.
Click the audio player above to hear the interview.
To hear an extended version of this interview, click here.
