New Bay Bridge to open decades after '89 quake

SAN FRANCISCO Transportation officials say the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge should be ready to reopen as scheduled early Tuesday as preparations to inaugurate a new eastern section of the span proceed as planned.

Caltrans spokesman Andrew Gordon said Saturday that crews are demolishing some parts of the bridge's Oakland half in 1,000-foot increments to make way for the reconfigured design, including a path for cyclists and pedestrians that will take another six months to finish.

Crews also have started repaving the toll plaza that tens of thousands of commuters pass through on the way into San Francisco each day.

The Bay Bridge has been closed since Wednesday night and is expected to reopen Tuesday morning.

CHP Officer Daniel Hill says the bridge being out of commission has worsened freeway traffic as motorists seek alternate routes.