Bay Bridge Welding Scandal Winding to a Close?

We haven't touched on this in months, as there has been very little to say about the Bay Bridge welding scandal that plauged Northern California this spring. Looks like it's winding down, as the FBI has closed its investigation of the welding quality according to the ContraCosta Times.

The bridge, which cost over $6 billion, was rocked by claims of faulty welds. An investigation took place all summer, with charges and countercharges flying every direction.

In the Times report, LaRae Quy, spokeswoman for the FBI's San Francisco office said, "For all intents and purposes, the case is closed. We did not have the forensic evidence to prove the allegations." The Times report went on, to say that Federal Highway Administration welding experts concluded in April that several tested welds were "excellent," though the tests involved welds at the water line -- not buried in legs deep in the Bay. The federal agency is still looking into whether the bridge would be structurally sound if faulty welds exist below the water line on the support legs.

I suppose that's that. The bridge is safe according to all accounts, and there appears to have been no criminality.