With weld safety confirmed, Bay Bridge work resuming

From the ContraCosta Times, things are appearing to settle down in the Bay Bridge Welding scandal.

Now that suspect welds have been sliced up, tested and given a federal seal of approval, state transportation officials are struggling to get the new Bay Bridge back on track.

Time is of the essence on California's largest-ever seismic safety project, especially because the $6.2 billion span is years behind schedule, billions over budget and mired in debate about whether to switch designs midconstruction.

When questions were raised by some welders about the integrity of the welds on support structures, the news added another layer of conflict for a troubled bridge.

Reassuring the public about the quality of workmanship has been key, and officials assert that the federal inspection report released last week does just that, even as an FBI investigation continues.

Now, the focus returns to construction.

"They've been told to stop, so now there'll be a big rush to get back on the job and accelerate production," said Robert Bea, a UC Berkeley engineering professor familiar with large public works projects. "I would guess Caltrans and the contractor are champing at the bit to go forward."

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