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Bay Bridge Fallout
In the article on
the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge “California Scraps
Sole Bid for Signature Span,” some of the information
is out of date compared with a recent Bechtel report (ENR
10/11 p. 10). The cost of the bridge has increased to $5.13
billion, more than three times the original budget. This makes
it the most expensive bridge in the world. The cost for the
suspension part of the bridge alone is currently estimated
at $2.18 billion, including the foundations.
While the replacement effort for
the current bridge (built in 1936) was announced as “competing
with time,” the [California Dept. of Transportation’s]
current estimate for completion is 2012. Ironically, Caltrans
needs 10 years (construction had started in early 2002) to
complete one half of the bridge that was built in 1936 in
three years and seven months.
I think the sad story of the Bay
Bridge proves again that designing and building bridges is
the job of engineers, not politicians. What was achieved in
1936 should be possible in 2005. The suspension part has to
be replaced with a new design-build bridge. It is realistic
to expect the bridge to be redesigned and built in three to
four years. Let us hope the energetic new California governor
will look for help from state and U.S. engineers and builders
to solve the current impasse.
I find it unusual
for an engineering and construction industry publication to
quote an unnamed source on his or her interpretation of a
feeling, such as embarrassment, of an engineering company.
Let me assure ENR that the joint
venture of T.Y. Lin International/Moffat & Nichol, which
led the consultant design team, and the other consultants
that provided services for the [self-anchored suspension]
span are not embarrassed at the recent situation regarding
the sole bid for the bridge. In fact, joint venture and Caltrans
design staff are proud that their efforts produced an aesthetic
design and we will continue to provide engineering information
to assist state and local officials as they consider options
for this portion of the bridge.
ENR surely understands that when
a major project such as the Bay Bridge is highlighted in the
media because of cost, community or political concerns, the
engineering team cannot respond directly to inquiries from
the news media. The joint venture is prohibited by contract
from responding to any news media unless such response is
cleared through Caltrans’ public relations staff.
Editor’s note: As the senior
firm on the Bay Bridge East Span SAS design joint venture
team, officials of T.Y. Lin International were contacted for
comment. They did not respond to this request.
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