Here’s a recent shot of the SF-Oakland Bay Bridge and the new ramp that will cost the taxpayers billions. A complete scam. This is one of the many pictures I’ve taken this past year and for once I managed to keep the shots so well-organized that I could make an actual photo count. In 2005 I took 6,242 digital images. Yikes. They filled 4 DVD’s. I started shooting photographs when I was about 11 and am just now getting the hang of it.
One of my faults in life so far is that I never take pictures of the things I do or the places I visit. There have been so many firends and events in my life that I have no visual reminder of. Very depressing now that I’m thinking about it.
I believe you live in the bay area- I do as well; I don’t consider it to be a scam. Sure it is overbudget, and of course there has been plenty of unnecessary spending. Our governor decided he knew how to build bridges, and somebody made an unfounded accusation concerning the construction methods, both of which cost money as well.
The reason that this project is important is because the old span cannot survive another earthquake and still be structurally sound enough to drive on. my personal definition of a bridge includes what you referred to as the ramp- the entire span is old and it would not do to keep/reuse any part of it. If I’m not mistaken the eastern span is built on top of wooden( ! ) piles. I for one do not want to fall into the bay without warning, and I would think that the same goes for everyone else as well. So, perhaps the cost is outrageous, but the bridge itself is no scam.
Did they ever go through with that plan to name it after Emperor Norton?
Count the little poles sticking into the water. They are concrete poles. They cost about $100 Million each set.
But when you consider that Iraq is costing us about $1 Billion per week, and we are getting absolutely nothing for it, then I guess that 100 million for concrete some pilings is not all that bad.
Not being in the area, I wasn’t sure what was up, but Caltrans has a decent site with information on the project. They have lots of pictures, an informational document, and plenty more to help explain the project and schedule.
Looks nice. Where did you take that from?
The Bridge is no scam, being a boat owner I have been up close the the base of the old span, after seeing what holds it up you can’t help but think about sogy wood in water as you drive over it.
Just take the money from the art and music classes – oh wait – they already cut those. Cut Math – and – Science, all the smarties are coming from other nations anyway, Americans shouldn’t be burden with heavy thoughts.
We can’t pick our own fruit, Why should we do all the heavy thinking too.
Here;’s the link:
I took the shot from a port-side Window on a Southwest flight from Oakland to Seattle. When departing on any flight from Oakland your best bet is a port side window seat for some stunning views of SF and the Golden Gate bridge. If you want to see Oakland or the East Bay (as well as Shasta and Mt. St. Helens), then starboard is for you. If the pattern requires a takeoff to the south (very rare) you won;t see jack until you are far north.
All shots taken from a plane will be hazy and need a Photoshop fix. The easiest is IMAGE/ADJUSTMENTS/AUTO-LEVELS — and BOOM the haze is gone.
Is this thing done? If it is, you guys got screwed.
The Discovery Channel had a program on this project – Extreme Engineering: Oakland Bay Bridge. It is available on DVD from their website. Quote:
“Follow some of the top bridge builders and engineers in the country as they try to tackle the biggest construction project in California history – the new Oakland Bay Bridge. Expected to be the most heavily trafficked bridge in the nation, this $2.8 billion monster will span the East Bay, connecting San Francisco and Oakland. The project was due to be finished in 2003. But now, it’s looking more like 2007. While there’s enormous pressure to stay on schedule, the daily, unexpected difficulties associated with building a two-mile, earthquake-proof road over 300 feet of water are tough to beat.”
The customer ratings from the site on the project were all positive.
“Looks nice. Where did you take that from?
Comment by 0×1d3 — 1/3/2006 @ 4:14 pm ”
A: From on top of his head
I jes keedeeng! Hope you’re having a fun CES,
Michelle
Maybe Joe could do a celebrity fear factor and have the celebrities drive a car off the end or something as a benefit to raise more money for it. I can think of a few celebrities I’d pay to see drive off a tall bridge.
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