Friday, February 15, 2013

the new Bay Bridge

The tower you see is part of the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge.  The erector set behind it is the original span which will be in use until September.  The new structure will be the world's largest self-anchored suspension span.  It will no longer have two decks and it will also include bicycle lanes.  It's only been in the works since the big earthquake of 1989 and is the most expensive public works project in California history.  The span runs from Oakland to Yerba Buena Island; the western suspension section runs from the island to San Francisco.  This picture was taken from Treasure Island (built on soil dredged from the construction of the original bridge which opened in 1936) looking east to Oakland.  The sky shows you the weather has been clear and dry.  Linked to Skywatch Friday and Weekend Reflections.

14 comments:

  1. Lot of great facts about the bridge that I wasn't aware of. Thanks for this post.

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  2. Very beautiful photo for SWF!Thank you for it and have a nice weekend!

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  3. That's quite a bridge. Looks great.

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  4. It's an amazing scene of an amazing bridge.

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  5. It has been many years since I've had to use that bridge. Usually it is the Golden Gate or San Rafael bridges. No doubt it will survive the next earthquake unlike before. Thanks for the update.

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  6. Wow! This is fascinating! What an achievement! I lived in Concord for about a year when I was a young teen. Went to Oakland a few times. Would love to see this bridge when its finished.

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  7. Wow, wow, wow, I have yet to see it from that angle - what a fabulous shot!

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  8. It is a beautiful structure, Carolyn. Now there is an architecturally fine bridge at your end of the bay, to match the Golden Gate Bridge.

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  9. I have to say I will be really glad that the bridge will soon be all single level! Being from So Cal the double decker aspect always gave me the willies everytime I crossed into or out of SF! Nice capture of our lovely weather this week too!

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  10. such a huge project - it must be fascinating watching it take shape

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  11. «Louis« took the liberty of linking this to Sunday Bridges.

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