I think the state could afford this bridge...
Posted on 10/08/2004 12:35:55 PM PDT by Simmy2.5
Bridge-building experts advised state transportation officials in April that the cost of the single-tower suspension span would soar past Caltrans estimates and urged them to cut costs by considering a different design.
But the state ignored that advice until last week, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to reject the sole $1.4 billion bid on the suspension span and look at redesigning the bridge to save as much as $500 million, or seek new bids.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
"Who did they share that information with?'' asked Mike Nevin, a San Mateo County supervisor and a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. "You'd think Caltrans would share that with us because time is money on this project. ... It's shocking that we didn't know.''
Unfreaken believable. Experts suggest a redesign to save money, State (Caltrans mostly probably) ignores it. They must really want to spend OUR money on this boondoggle.
It would be cheaper to close down San Francisco. ;)
I think the state could afford this bridge...
15 years after the quake and all we have is several pilings sticking out of the water! Get off the crapper and get moving!
On second thought, keep the Golden Gate and build another wall around Marin county. And mine the waters around both to keep the liberals inside.
I never even considered the concept that this bridge wasn't repaired and in operation.. Ghads, it's been, what, three governors since?
This could make the Big Dig look like an 8th grade science project. The problem is that this effort has become "design by committee"- something we in the industry try to avoid. To make things worse, the committees consisted of politicans and "community leaders" (code word for muckity-mucks with nothing better to do) rather than design and construction engineers. To further complicate the matter, the goal was not to provide an efficiently built and functional transportation facility, it was to construct a giant work of modern art that happens to carry traffic across the bay (for a steep toll, I might add).
If Caltrans and Bay Area officials wish to be on the cutting edge, then perhaps they should sell the corridor and right-of-way to a private company. That company would then build a toll bridge (meeting industry engineering standards, of course) and then collect the tolls to make a profit. Then again, we're talking about a state that thinks adding three government oversight committees and instituting wholesale price controls is "deregulation".
The new pilings should remain in place as a shrine to total abandonment of fiscal responsibility.
I think part of the big problem is that the original pilings, deep in the mud, under the bay, are wood. No one knows how long they will last, but "a long, long time" is not one of the choices.
Sooner or later a new bridge with more durable foundations is necessary. We can buy it now, or buy it later when the current one collapses. The cost of the traffic disruption from an unscheduled failure and quickie replacement of the existing bridge will make the price of a new one look like the Sunday School collection plate.
Healthier, too.
San Francisco Bay does not have a monopoly on corrupt, inept politicians.
Just be thankful for their ineptitude and ineficiency. If they were able to get anything done effectively they would really screw things up.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.