San Franciscans watch as time called on old bridge pier

  • 2015-11-24
Early on the morning of November 14, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) blew up part of the old Bay Bridge.

The eastern span of the San Francisco bridge was built in 1936 and was subsequently damaged in the earthquake of 1989. The bridge was replaced in 2013, leaving some of the old piers intact. The structure demolished this month was the biggest remaining piece of the eastern end of the bridge.

The plan called for Caltrans to destroy the pier’s top 50 feet and bury the resulting debris at the base of the remaining structure. The agency said it hoped to limit the damage to the bay’s marine life, but officials said the blast could potentially kill thousands of fish. In order to help contain the shock wave, the underwater portion of the pier was sprayed with a wall of bubbles.

Spectators who were hoping to see a spectacular explosion may have been disappointed. Although water shot about 100 feet into the air, most of the debris was trapped under a steel-and-wood mat that had been placed over the 140-by-80 foot pier to contain the wreckage from the blast. Estimates were there would be 20 million pounds of debris following the explosion.

City officials might consider working with a flyer printing company on a mailer for residents, explaining the reasons for the demolition and plans for the remaining piers.