Bay Bridge construction project begins

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The California Department of Transportation says a four-day construction project aimed at replacing a San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge section has begun.

Department spokesman Bart Ney said the construction project began Thursday and area motorists appeared prepared for the travel delays and detours associated with the replacement of a 3,300-ton bridge section, the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News said.

The Bay Bridge construction project prompted highway patrol officers to shut down a portion of Interstate 80 along with freeway approaches to the landmark bridge.

In addition to replacing the 300-foot bridge section above Yerba Buena Island, the construction project will involve a facelift for the Bay Bridge.

The Mercury News said the efforts to maintain and improve the bridge involve skilled workers such as painters, pavers, sign makers and tree pruners.

The new bridge section is being installed to create a Bay Bridge detour in connection with the construction of the new Bay Bridge East Span. The $6.2 billion construction project will involve replacing the current East Span with a seismically stronger section.