Demolition of Old Bay Bridge East Span Enters New Phase: Removal of Smaller Truss Sections

(Adapted from a Caltrans release.)

Caltrans’ demolition of the original East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge continues eastward toward the Oakland shoreline, with a new phase commencing on November 2, 2016: dismantling the smaller spans, with the operation to remove the first of the 288-foot trusses beginning today.

 

There are 14 288-foot trusses now stretching from Pier E9 to Pier E22, approximately three quarters of a mile. This 1.7 million-pound truss section will require removal with uniquely different considerations such as the varied marine foundations and depths of water. The material will be recycled. 

 

This lowering process is more complicated and extensive than the lowering of the larger 504-foot trusses that were successfully dismantled over the last several months. This time, the team will use a hydraulic push-up jacking system. This method entails stacking special barrels on top of jacks that reach just beneath the truss. The truss is then cut, separated, pushed up and extended out. It is then lowered down to barges and pushed over to the Port of Oakland. See an animation depicting the jacking system: https://youtu.be/XgPNjwvG9xw 

 

“Safety and innovation remain priorities for our contractors on this old Bay Bridge demolition project,” says Dan McElhinney, chief deputy director for Caltrans' Bay Area office.

 

This is the second part in a three-part process to dismantle the old Bay Bridge East Span. Phase I was completed the end of 2015, with the demolition of the cantilever section and S-curve to Yerba Buena Island. In Phase II of the demolition process now underway, crews continue to remove the bridge's truss sections, which stretch east to the Oakland shore, and includes the five 504-foot segments that were recently removed, and the upcoming removal of the 14 288-foot sections. The implosion of the marine foundations for the old bridge is also under way. The complete demolition of the old Bay Bridge East Span is expected to be completed at the end of 2018.

 

Extensive monitoring and mitigation efforts continue during this operation, as the environmental team works alongside demolition crews to ensure the ongoing safe dismantling of the old East Span.

 

This is a highly weather-dependent, two-day operation, anticipating 12 to 14 hours of work. Heavy rains and/or high winds could cause changes in scheduled activities.

 

A live stream will allow for public viewing during the operation. We encourage the public to use this method for observing the operation.

 

Watch it live from the following links, beginning at approximately noon:

 

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCky7z7aBl7uEwHDLhMtsgsw/live

  

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm-wXGyG0tHq4NAco-TzKRg/live

 

The bike path will be closed during the operation.