Significant Concerns Over the Safety of the New Bay Bridge (Sacramento: construction, earthquake)

[NewToCA]

..Beyond the large area of suspicious concrete in one of the reinforced underground foundation piles, a Bee examination of Caltrans records found numerous other problems with the piles, and gaps in essential data.

Experts who reviewed concrete and engineering records for The Bee questioned the ability of the main tower foundation to resist an extreme earthquake – the reason for building the new bridge.


Caltrans records reveal concerns about Bay Bridge concrete - Bay Bridge - The Sacramento Bee

[Curmudgeon]

This is what happens when you go with the lowest bid and add inadequate oversight, CYA, politics and backroom dealing.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

..Beyond the large area of suspicious concrete in one of the reinforced underground foundation piles, a Bee examination of Caltrans records found numerous other problems with the piles, and gaps in essential data.

Experts who reviewed concrete and engineering records for The Bee questioned the ability of the main tower foundation to resist an extreme earthquake – the reason for building the new bridge.


Caltrans records reveal concerns about Bay Bridge concrete - Bay Bridge - The Sacramento Bee

All that money spent and they didn't even do it right. And some wonder why people are against high speed rail?

[EclecticEars]

I'm not racist against Asians; in fact, I quite like Asian people and respect their stick-to-it-tive-ness, generally hard work ethic, and family values. Having said that, perhaps I'm an unsophisticated, racist redneck for suggesting that the bridge should've been built by American (if even union) labor. I'd have a hard time believing that American products aren't of higher quality (our cars notwithstanding).

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

All that money spent and they didn't even do it right. And some wonder why people are against high speed rail?

Texas' DOT has had a high speed committee since, I believe, when George W. Bush was governor. They are now seriously discussing the construction of a HSR line from Dallas to Houston or Austin to Houston which would be privately built and (mostly) maintained by a Japanese company and operational circa 2020.

Maybe California should dismantle its HSR Commission, create a sub-office for HSR within the Governor's Office (and NOT Caltrans) since Gov. Brown is still championing the project (and rightfully so), and start exchanging ideas with Texas. Yes, I know it's Texas, but even Lt. Gov. Newsom traveled to Austin to talk with their Gov. Perry to see what they're doing right in terms of economic development. California, in my personal opinion, needs and deserves high-speed rail, but this can only be built and properly maintained with the right leadership and property acquisitions at the helm.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

I'm not racist against Asians; in fact, I quite like Asian people and respect their stick-to-it-tive-ness, generally hard work ethic, and family values. Having said that, perhaps I'm an unsophisticated, racist redneck for suggesting that the bridge should've been built by American (if even union) labor. I'd have a hard time believing that American products aren't of higher quality (our cars notwithstanding).

It depends on which Asians. Japanese engineering and manufacturing is generally very high quality. On the other hand, the Chinese are likely to use trash as aggregate in their concrete.

[TVC15]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

Texas' DOT has had a high speed committee since, I believe, when George W. Bush was governor. They are now seriously discussing the construction of a HSR line from Dallas to Houston or Austin to Houston which would be privately built and (mostly) maintained by a Japanese company and operational circa 2020.

Maybe California should dismantle its HSR Commission, create a sub-office for HSR within the Governor's Office (and NOT Caltrans) since Gov. Brown is still championing the project (and rightfully so), and start exchanging ideas with Texas. Yes, I know it's Texas, but even Lt. Gov. Newsom traveled to Austin to talk with their Gov. Perry to see what they're doing right in terms of economic development. California, in my personal opinion, needs and deserves high-speed rail, but this can only be built and properly maintained with the right leadership and property acquisitions at the helm.

Great thoughts but I can't imagine CA ever getting its act together on these issues. So what if it is Texas

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

Texas' DOT has had a high speed committee since, I believe, when George W. Bush was governor. They are now seriously discussing the construction of a HSR line from Dallas to Houston or Austin to Houston which would be privately built and (mostly) maintained by a Japanese company and operational circa 2020.

Maybe California should dismantle its HSR Commission, create a sub-office for HSR within the Governor's Office (and NOT Caltrans) since Gov. Brown is still championing the project (and rightfully so), and start exchanging ideas with Texas. Yes, I know it's Texas, but even Lt. Gov. Newsom traveled to Austin to talk with their Gov. Perry to see what they're doing right in terms of economic development. California, in my personal opinion, needs and deserves high-speed rail, but this can only be built and properly maintained with the right leadership and property acquisitions at the helm.

For the record, I want HSR, too; but not like this. I just am sick and tired of the lying and huge cost boondoggles that go along with it. No one is going to tell me they didn't lie about the cost to get the necessary votes on the ballot.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by TVC15

I can't imagine CA ever getting its act together on these issues. So what if it is Texas

My sentiments exactly. The trust just isn't there. They always say "It'll be different this time" and it never is.

It's sad, because I really do believe this is a worthwhile project....but we can't allow the state to hold the taxpayers hostage and that is exactly what is happening.

[ZhugeLiang]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

Gov. Brown is still championing the project (and rightfully so),

Oh wow.

I guess that bit about a $16 billion deficit went right over your head, eh?