New Bay Bridge Tower Nears Completion
OAKLAND (KCBS/BCN) - Crews have completed hoisting the fourth segment of the tower on the Bay Bridge's new eastern span ahead of schedule, a Caltrans spokesman said Friday.
Workers started lifting the first piece of the segment on Monday and worked nonstop until 1:25 a.m. this morning, when the last legs were situated on top of the structure, according to Caltrans spokesman Bart Ney.
The tower now stands at 480 feet, just 45 feet away from reaching its final height, Ney said.
The installation originally was estimated to be completed later Friday afternoon.
"Great effort on the part of our crews and surprisingly mild weather conditions expedited the process," Ney said.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:
Strong winds did postpone the placement for a few hours on Monday.
"We just couldn't lift the steel piece with those gusts," Ney said. "Each leg of the segment weighs almost 500 tons and is more than 100 feet long. You don't want that blowing around."
Even with the short delay, crews were able to finish more quickly than expected.
"This is a huge milestone," Ney said. "We hope to keep this momentum going until the entire project is completed in 2013."
The fifth tower section, which will connect the four independent tower legs, is scheduled to be lifted into place at the end of March or beginning of April.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports on what's next:
What remained left to be installed atop the tower was what was considered the most critical part of the bridge, known as the "saddle."
The saddle is a steel piece that cradles the 31 in. diameter cables, which in turn hold up the bridge deck.
"You don't see a piece like this every day," said Ney. "It will be like public art, only 525 ft. in the air."
The saddle was built in Japan, at the same plant where cannons for WWII battleships were built.
"It has to be this thick," Ney explained. "Because it's going to be lifting the entire weight of the bridge and all the traffic that will drive on it."
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