Demolition of Cantilever section of old Bay Bridge continues

Wayne Freedman Image
ByWayne Freedman KGO logo
Friday, March 20, 2015
Demolition of Cantilever section of old Bay Bridge continues
Demolition of the old span of the Bay Bridge continues as they work to bring down the Cantilever section, which was built in the 1930s.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Sometimes, we're too close to history, even as it happens. One example of that may be the continuing demolition of the old span of the Bay Bridge - piece by piece.



"The new one is beautiful. The old one is beautiful. The deconstruction is beautiful," said Frank Levi, a biker and photographer.



On Friday, the work on the old Bay Bridge included the cutting parts of the Cantilever, part of the bridge that went up in the 1930s.



"They got big steel flying all over the place. Guys doing ballet with fire. What more do you want?" said Levi of the construction crew doing the work.



The more challenging work is yet to come.



Right now, what you see is the tip of a concrete iceberg, a pier that extends five stories to the bottom. Caltrans wants to remove it with an implosion next November.



"We have seen the least impact would be an implosion using highly controlled charges around the foundation," said Leah Robinson with Caltrans.



The work is expected to be completed by next November.

Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.