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Bay Bridge self‑anchored suspension span reaches 95% load transfer; crews aim for November completion
Summary
Caltrans and project contractors reported that the self‑anchored suspension (SAS) span on the new eastern Bay Bridge has completed about 95 percent of the load-transfer operation and is on track for finalization this fall, with an overall bridge opening targeted for Labor Day weekend 2013.
Project leaders updated the commission on the eastern span of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, reporting that crews have completed approximately 95 percent of the load-transfer operation that transfers the deck’s weight from temporary falsework to the new suspension cable.
Bart Ney, chief public information officer for the Bay Bridge project, described the SAS construction sequence in detail and showed how engineers installed the main cable, compacted it, and tied the suspenders that will support the deck. He said the main cable comprises thousands of individual wires and that the cable-installation process required innovative hauling and compaction methods because the bridge is a self‑anchored suspension design rather than a conventionally anchored suspension bridge.
"This is one of the riskiest parts of the job," Ney said. "We're about 95% lifted at this point in time," a milestone he said brings the cable and deck geometry near final positioning. Project staff told commissioners load transfer will be followed by final alignment, placement of joint hardware and protective wrapping of the main cable.
The presentation also reviewed related work on the Skyway and Yerba Buena Island transitions, the fabrication sources for major components (fabrication of some deck segments in the U.S., cable-bands in the U.K., and tower/deck segments in China), and the bridge’s seismic design features, including shear-link “fuse” elements that can be replaced after a major seismic event.
Why it matters: The eastern span replacement is primarily a seismic-safety project to bring the crossing to modern, post‑Loma Prieta lifeline standards so that the route can be used by emergency vehicles after a large quake. Progress on the SAS span is a visible and technical milestone for one of the most complex infrastructure projects in California.
Discussion vs. decision: The session provided an informational update; there was no formal commission action tied to the status report. Commissioners praised the workforce and noted public visibility of the large lifts; staff reaffirmed the project’s target to complete load transfer and continue remaining finishing work toward a planned opening in summer 2013 (project presentations used a Labor Day weekend 2013 target date).
What comes next: The contractor will complete remaining cable and saddle work, wrap the main cable for corrosion protection, set final joints and bearings, remove temporary falsework and finalize completion activities. Staff expects load transfer distribution to finish in the coming weeks and return to the commission with schedule updates as milestones are met.
