In the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, one section of the upper deck of the Bay Bridge's eastern span collapsed onto the lower deck. The bridge was closed for repairs for a month. In 2002, reconstruction started on a self-anchored suspension bridge to replace the eastern span, and it is scheduled to open around Labor Day 2013.
During the past six weeks, as it's become clear that the new bridge contains unsafe bolts that could fail in another earthquake, Caltrans has been scrambling to stay on that schedule.
May 8, 2013 Caltrans: Bay Bridge Repair Could Cost $10 Million; Hopes For Scheduled Labor Day Opening
May 8, 2013 State Senator: Caltrans Took Unnecessary Risks With Bay Bridge
April 29, 2013 New Bay Bridge Span May Contain More Vulnerable Steel Parts