More on the big job being done on the Bay Bridge—The entire project was jeopardized when some sharp-eyed inspector noticed that one of the massive eyebars (circled in red, left) that holds the bridge together had a very large crack in it. Quick like a bunny they ordered a new one made in Arizona overnight and flown to Oakland then rushed behind Highway Patrol escorts to the bridge. Ten people are assigned to install the new eyebar. Whew!
[Update: A repair clamp was installed, not a new eyebar.]
In my previous blog, the photo shows the new section being put in place. One thing about that section made me curious; why is it so white? Looking closely at the picture, the white is something laid on the structure, like large tarps or the like.
Aha! I know! I know! The white stuff reflects sunlight and keeps the new section of the bridge cool. That makes it not swell and be hard to put in place. Every fraction of an inch counts in a project like this, and I’ll just bet that’s what they had in mind.
Or I could be full of baloney and it’s covered so people don’t get it all scuffed and stuff.
Photo: Caltrans/Chronicle
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