California bridge demolition project proceeding to plan

March 2, 2015
Demolition work is proceeding to plan on the old Bay Bridge in California. The structure is being removed piece by piece in a tightly controlled demolition project being carried out by a number of specialist firms. Strict guidelines cover how the demolition workers can proceed, with regulations preventing debris from falling into the water for example. Safety of the demolition personnel is another of the key criteria. The new bridge is already carrying traffic alongside but the old steel cantilever structure can only be removed in sections and this has meant certain parts of the new link cannot be completed until the original structure has been taken down. The project team will remove the old bridge down to the water level but discussions are underway at present in how best to remove its foundations underwater also. By the end of 2016, the old structure should be completely removed however.

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