Caltrans Fires 2 Workers as Questions Raised About Bay Bridge Inspections

The California Department of Transportation fired two employees Nov. 8 after questions arose regarding the validity of structural integrity testing performed on the foundation of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge’s new eastern span.A Caltrans technician responsible for testing the concrete and steel shafts known as “piles” was found to have falsified test results on other projects, The Sacramento Bee reported Sunday.

“The state Department of Transportation technician who conducted key testing to ensure structural integrity of the span’s foundation was later disciplined for fabricating test results on other projects,” The Bee reported. The technician “also failed to verify that his testing gauge was operating properly, as required by Caltrans to ensure the gauge’s accuracy, before he examined parts of the Bay Bridge tower foundation.”

Caltrans last week fired the technician and his supervisor, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Their terminations are effective today, according to Caltrans.

“Officials dismissed questions about the integrity of the bridge, saying it had no structural problems and that a review of the tests … found no irregularities,” the Chronicle reported.

“We have a very high confidence level that the work that was done on the foundation of the Bay Bridge structure is safe,” Malcolm Dougherty, acting Caltrans director, told the Chronicle.

The $6.3 billion eastern span began construction in 2001 and is expected to open in 2013. It is the largest public-works project in California history.