The Contra Costa Times reports the $23 million custom steel saddles will be fully operational by January 8. Bay Bridge officials had hoped to be done by December 10. But, they say fabrication was very complex and took longer than expected. The temporary shims, which allowed officials to open the new span on Labor Day will remain in place until the saddles are installed.
Bay Bridge officials now say it will take a month longer than expected to complete the permanent fix for the giant steel bolts that snapped on the new eastern span earlier this year.