the new eastern span

It's taken 24 years for the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge to finally open.  This shot is looking east to the Oakland hills.  The eastern side is no longer a double deck bridge and both directions of traffic now have breakdown lanes that will hopefully reduce traffic jams due to fender benders and empty gas tanks.  There is a temporary pedestrian/bicycle lane on the south side of the bridge that is already very popular.  Right now you can take it close to Yerba Buena Island but then you have to turn around and go back to the East Bay.  After the old span is demolished, a permanent lane will go all the way to Yerba Buena and Treasure Island.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

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.

Weekend Reflection: Bay Bridge

Last week I was on Treasure Island for the monthly antiques fair.  The weather was glorious and the killer views could not be beat.  The new eastern span of the bridge is progressing, with the gigantic support tower now in place.  The Oakland hills are in the background.  Note the four catwalks at a steep 45∘angle to the tower.  Bridge workers must have nerves of steel to climb these structures.  The new span connects to Yerba Buena Island where it joins the suspension section that goes to San Francisco. The new section will also be a suspension bridge and is scheduled to open next year.  Check out the bridge website for all kinds of fascinating information.  Since a bike lane is included in the design, I hope we'll be able to walk on the new bridge.  This photo is doing double duty this week and is linked to Weekend Reflections and Sunday Bridges.

lower deck of the Bay Bridge

It ain't pretty, but it's the real deal.  This is what it looks like driving across the Bay Bridge going east to Oakland. For now.  Once the new bridge is completed, the eastern side will be a single decker.  I thought black and white would intensify the industrial feel of this engineering marvel.  For more bridges world wide, visit «Louis'» meme the Sunday Bridge Series.

Sunday Bridge Series: Oakland Bay Bridge

This is the suspension side of the bridge which runs from Yerba Buena Island to San Francisco.  This shot was taken from Treasure Island.  TI was built from the soil dredged for the construction of the Bay Bridge.  The Island was the site for the 1939 World's Fair.  As you can imagine, it offers killer views of the City and the East Bay.  Now that the island has been demilitarized, the debate about how best to use the land rages on.  For more bridge views from around the world, visit «Louis La Vache's» Sunday Bridge Series.

Sunday Bridge Series: Oakland Bay Bridge

Here's a shot of the Bay Bridge looking east toward Oakland.  I took it today from Yerba Buena Island where the eastern and western sections are anchored.  This side is slated for demolition once the new eastern span is finally completed.  You can see part of the new span just beyond the original.  It's only taken 20 years and zillions of dollars more than initially anticipated (since the 1989 earthquake damage) to get this far.  The actual construction process has been interesting to follow and the new bridge will ultimately have some engineering and design innovations.  For every detail you could possibly want to know about the new construction, click here.  For more bridges from around the world visit «Louis'» Sunday Bridge Series.  Have a happy 4th.