Hummingbird Nest Halts Upgrades On Richmond-San Rafael Bridge [Bay Area, CA]

CBS SF Bay Area ^ | January 30, 2017 7:54 PM | Phil Matier

[Olog-hai]

A little bird could become a big hold up for important upgrades on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. A path on the upper deck will enable bike riders to get across in both directions and a third traffic lane on the lower deck will ease congestion for drivers heading eastbound.

The backhoes are waiting — the safety barriers are lined to go up — but thanks to a little winged friend, work on a key part of the $70 million Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Bridge re-do has been put on hold.

Randy Rentschler, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission said, “In this particular case a bird’s nest was found.” Not just any bird — but a protected bird — and one with an egg waiting to hatch.

Rentschler said, “Hummingbirds are on the list, so the followed the rules.” …

[Olog-hai]

Ironic that a bike path is held up due to a hummingbird nest. Way to go, Cali.

[Texas Eagle]

...a key part of the $70 million Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Bridge re-do has been put on hold.

But the spending won't.

[gr8eman]

Yep...way to go Cali voters! The damn bridge could collapse and they would never fix it because a hummingbird built it’s nest there. Feel the suck!

[Mr. Douglas]

I love it when they eat their own.

[Louis Foxwell]

The Trump administration would, of course, be happy to provide a waiver.

[hal ogen]

LIB lunatics at work...or “not at work” because of a bird. Idiots.

[lakecumberlandvet]

INSANITY

[Huskrrrr]

PATHETIC

People
Allied for
Treatment of
Hummingbirds
Ethically and
To
Insure
Cohabitation

[ETL]

[PGR88]

Yes, and independent California will be a super-wealthy utopia of bike paths, renewable energy, hummingbirds, natural flora and fauna, millions of illegals living off the state while contributing diversity and yummy ethnic food all living in harmony and paid for by the sharing-internet economy and taxes on Napa Valley wines.

Yes, that’s a good plan!!

[ETL]

[rey]

Hummingbirds drive?

[lacrew]

Who do you think drives Hummers?

[usflagwaver]

I drive that bridge every day. Traffic has become worse and worse every month. I was so excited when they said they were adding a 3rd lane. Then I heard they were only adding a 3rd lane in one direction. On the other side, the 3rd lane will be used as a bike path. So, the thousands of cars everyday that are stopped in traffic will be held up so 2 or 3 people a day can ride their bikes across this bridge. I went to meetings to complain to no avail.

[Tennessee Nana]

Oh its OK if the bridge falls in the river and lots of humans drown and are injured...

but don’t move that bird’s nest...

[ETL]

Apparently.

[Olog-hai]

Someone ought to hang hummingbird feeders outside the meeting places once they’re inside so they can’t get out until your concerns are addressed. The birds are “protected”, after all, and they can’t risk hurting even one.

As to why the hummingbirds are “protected”, I have no clue; they are all numerous species. I’d say the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is unconstitutional.

[nikos1121]

Hummingbirds are South for the winter. I doubt very much that there is a hummingbird sitting on that nest.

[nikos1121]

Oops. Just realized we’re talking about California. Sorry.

[Cold Heart]

As a side note, Portland has a new bridge ($1.49 billion)across the Willamette River for pedestrians bikes and mass transit only. $3 million of which is for artistic decoration. Lefty tv channel 12 has a morning video shot of the bridge with the weather report. It's almost always MT. Portland weirdos don't even know they are bragging up a failure.