The Bay Bridge opened as expected over the Labor Day weekend, after nearly being delayed multiple times. For such a large project to open on time, nevermind even close to on time, is somewhat of a marvel itself. And if you read about how this bridge uses amazing cantilevering and a 2.6 foot diameter main cable to self-anchor into the bay, your mind just might be blown. It's a truly impressive design, and this is a great description of how the engineers cleverly overcame a number of issues using some very creative solutions.

"The designers of the east span of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge—opening Labor Day weekend as the result of a 13-year, $6.42 billion project—didn't have the luxury of anchoring the new bridge into bedrock. Instead, the 2047-foot span will become the world's longest self-anchored suspension bridge, an engineering marvel that must endure not only Bay Area traffic but also the inevitability of major earthquakes here. 

Read more: How They Built the Record-Setting New Bay Bridge Span - Popular Mechanics "

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