No Proof Bay Bridge Rods Were Ever Inspected
- 11 years ago
With the opening of the new eastern span of San Francisco’s Bay Bridge only months away, Caltrans has reported that they are lacking important inspection documentation for some of its parts.
San Francisco's bridges are among the busiest in the world.
With the opening of the new eastern span of San Francisco’s Bay Bridge only months away, Caltrans has reported that they are lacking important inspection documentation for some of its parts.
The rods used to anchor the span’s tower are lacking verification that the manufacturer took the proper steps to ensure that they haven’t been made vulnerable to cracking.
Following the installation, Caltrans became aware that the parts had been subjected to a specifically restricted galvanizing process that can increase the fasteners chances of failure.
The manufacturing plant that made the tower rods said they received no special instructions so they had none to pass along to their subcontractor. As a result, the subcontractor galvanizing the pieces went about the process as usual – including introducing them to a potentially compromising acidic substance.
Thus far, no cracking has been found in the tower rods, but Caltrans is conducting tests and will soon determine if the span’s September 3rd opening will need to be delayed.
San Francisco's bridges are among the busiest in the world.
With the opening of the new eastern span of San Francisco’s Bay Bridge only months away, Caltrans has reported that they are lacking important inspection documentation for some of its parts.
The rods used to anchor the span’s tower are lacking verification that the manufacturer took the proper steps to ensure that they haven’t been made vulnerable to cracking.
Following the installation, Caltrans became aware that the parts had been subjected to a specifically restricted galvanizing process that can increase the fasteners chances of failure.
The manufacturing plant that made the tower rods said they received no special instructions so they had none to pass along to their subcontractor. As a result, the subcontractor galvanizing the pieces went about the process as usual – including introducing them to a potentially compromising acidic substance.
Thus far, no cracking has been found in the tower rods, but Caltrans is conducting tests and will soon determine if the span’s September 3rd opening will need to be delayed.