Bay Bridge

Questions raised on Bay Bridge structural tests

By Charles Piller - Updated: Thursday, June 14 2012 - 6:48 pm

A Bee investigation has found that the state Department of Transportation technician who conducted key testing to ensure structural integrity of the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge eastern span's foundation was later disciplined for fabricating test results on other projects.

• Read the initial Bee investigation here. Additional articles and follow-ups are listed below.

Firing of Caltrans testing supervisor upheld

By Charles Piller - Updated: 11:40 pm

The firing of a former engineering supervisor for the California Department of Transportation, whose unit was involved in falsification of test data for foundations of state bridges, was upheld Thursday by the State Personnel Board.

Caltrans reviewing whether broken bolts on Bay Bridge project failed tests

By Charles Piller - Updated: Tuesday, April 2 2013 - 7:41 am

The California Department of Transportation said Monday that it was reviewing whether the large bolts that broke last month on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge had failed quality-control tests by the agency's materials lab.

State audit faults Caltrans lapses

By Charles Piller - Updated: Monday, April 1 2013 - 7:45 am

In an investigation released Thursday, the Bureau of State Audits sharply criticized the California Department of Transportation for numerous lapses in managing a unit that tests foundations of bridges and other freeway structures to verify their soundness and safety.

Read stories from The Bee’s Bay Bridge construction investigation

Broken bolts on new Bay Bridge span shouldn't delay opening, Caltrans says

By Charles Piller - Updated: Thursday, March 28 2013 - 11:04 am

Fixing broken bolts that are key to the Bay Bridge's ability to withstand a seismic shock will take months but should not delay its opening, California Department of Transportation officials said Wednesday.

Deeply Buried Doubts: Questions below the new Bay Bridge

Sacramento Bee investigative reporter Charles Piller talks about his series that raised questions about the structural integrity of the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Video by Manny Crisostomo.