October 31, 2009 Bay Bridge remains closed as work continues Play video

(NECN/KPIX: Oakland, Calif.) - The Bay Bridge will likely be closed through the weekend as Caltrans continues to work.

Caltrans spokesperson Bart Ney said Saturday morning that crews continue to work, but there is no estimated time for reopening the bridge.

Once Caltrans completes its repairs, independent inspectors will come in to examine the work. If they give the OK, the California Highway Patrol will take over and prepare to reopen the bridge.

Crews have installed four replacement rods designed to reinforce a cracked eyebar. Each rod is 80 feet long and two inches in diameter. They will be seated in a steel saddle.

"At this point, the opening time is still undetermined. We're focusing on making sure that this assembly gets put back in place in the safest possible manner. And we will continue to update you as we make progress," Bart Ney said.

Unlike the original Labor Day fix, crews are taking additional measures to make sure the assembly does not fail again.

The bridge has been shut down since Tuesday night after repairs to earlier repairs on Labor Day fell apart and damaged several vehicles. Caltrans said that even if this fix fails, these parts are not going to rain down on the drivers on the upper deck of the Bay Bridge.

Material courtesy of KPIX.