State rejects bridge bid Bay span to be rebid or redesigned

SF Gate/San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Friday, October 1, 2004 | Michael Cabanatuan, Chronicle Staff Writer

[Simmy2.5]

Sacramento -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, betting that new bids or a different design for the new Bay Bridge will save hundreds of millions of dollars and won't cause further delays, rejected on Thursday what Bay Area leaders had considered the best chance of getting the span built before the next big earthquake.

The state chose to let expire the lone bid for the new bridge's trademark -- a spire-like single-tower suspension span to Yerba Buena Island. The decision, announced by Sunne Wright McPeak, state secretary of business, transportation and housing, is a gamble.

[Simmy2.5]

What we get because we wanted a monument! Hopefully, we can get a cheaper bridge out of this (and better looking one then this stupid single suspension tower).

[good_fight]

I'm cost-conscious, too, but that single tower bridge is just plain ugly. I think we can do better aesthetically and economically.

[Michael.SF.]

This has been turned into a colossal screw up. First Mayor(s) Brown and Brown delayed (delay = added cost) this thing while they argued over a north or south location. Then it was delayed again (delay = added cost), during the bid stage. Now it is being delayed again (delay = added cost).

[pbear8]

I hate the Bay Bridge, but I detest bureaucratic stupidity much more.