Another Oops: New Bay Bridge Tower Needs Million-Dollar Clean Up For Rust Stains
OAKLAND (CBS SF)— Not even a year old and the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge is undergoing an almost million-dollar cleaning job because of yet another mistake.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports for the last several weeks workers have been removing thousands of tiny steel particles that became embedded in the white finish on the span's main tower as it was being painted. The particles began to rust, leaving stains on an otherwise gleaming white tower.
Bridge officials estimate it will cost close to a million dollars to clean and repaint the tower. They're also in talks with the main contractor to determine who's responsible for the clean-up job, but they told the Chronicle, toll payers will have to pick-up about half the cost.
To fix the problem, workers have to remove the paint and rust to the bare steel before the tower can be primed and painted again. The work is expected to continue through the summer.