Visible Progress On Old Eastern Bay Bridge

The history of the old eastern section of the Bay Bridge is slowly coming to a conclusion.  It was the less attractive conjoined twin brother of the Bay Bridge’s western portion.  Its iron cantilever frame gave it an erector set look and made it vulnerable to seismic events.  And when it failed us during the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, its days were numbered.  Today, it’s a relic sitting dark and idle against the bright and stylish new bridge replacement.  Navigating obstacles like lead paint and endangered bird nests, crews are slowly dismantling the old bridge’s iron frame.  A recent drive-by has shown considerable visible progress as a gaping 200 feet gap now exists at the 77 year old bridge’s largest suspended span.  Demolition work is expected to take between 2 to 5 years to complete.