Expert Says More Than 600 Bay Bridge Rods Too Hard, Vulnerable To Cracking
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- An expert says that more than 600 high-strength rods and bolts used to secure seismic equipment on the new span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge are harder than the typical levels and are vulnerable to cracking.
Newly released test results show that those rods and bolts are above the at-risk hardness threshold of 34 set by bridge specialist John Fisher, a member of Caltrans' team of independent experts.
Fisher says the results from corrosion-simulation tests on those rods could determine whether they may need replacing.
The hardness question arose after the 32 seismic safety rods broke after being tightened in March.
The bridge's $6.4 billion eastern portion span scheduled to open Labor Day weekend is in doubt as officials say they will make a decision next month.
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