San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge has been closed

[ensho]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091028/ap_on_re_us/us_bay_bridge_closure


Tough commute likely after Bay Bridge rod snaps


The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge has been closed indefinitely after a rod installed during last month's emergency repairs snapped, causing a traffic nightmare for the 280,000 motorists who cross the landmark span every day.

Engineers on Wednesday will evaluate the damage caused when the rod and metal brace fell into the 73-year-old bridge's westbound lanes during Tuesday evening's rush hour.

At least two vehicles — a car and a small truck — either were struck by or ran into the fallen rod, said California Highway Patrol Officer Peter Van Eckhardt. No injuries were reported.

The California Department of Transportation said Tuesday that it will remain closed indefinitely.

A spokesman for the Bay Area Rapid Transit District, meanwhile, said extra trains would run during the morning commute.

The rod that fell Tuesday was erected last month during an emergency repair job. It was holding in place a saddle-like cap that had been installed over a cracked link discovered over the Labor Day weekend.

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"If you look at the totality of the circumstances — you've got the 5:30 commute, you have a 5,000-pound piece of steel falling out of the sky. We are so fortunate that no one was injured or killed," CHP Sgt. Trent Cross told KTVU-TV.
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and so it goes in america

[Mz Pip]

1. What a mess that will be.

I'll be flying back from JFK on Saturday to SFO. We'll have to try to new shuttle to BART to get back to the East Bay. I can only hope it will be as efficient as the air train at JFK.

I've been angry about this bridge fiasco for years. The earthquake that damaged the bridge happened in 1989. It took 10 years to rebuild the freeway that collapsed, which was just ridiculous and now with this I'm sure it will add another few years to the process.

I love where I live but sometimes the local politics are just nuts.

[ensho]

2. will this bridge ever be opened again? or within anyone's life time?

Calif. is broke.

if they make maryjane legal that will bring in some govt. money, but, enough to fix or rebuild the bridge?