Report: Series of errors botched California bridge project
MADERA, Calif. (AP) — A series of errors by contractors and consultants caused support cables to fail on a massive bridge in central California that's key to the state's bullet train project, according to a newspaper report on Monday.
Documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times reveal steel supports snapped as a result of neglect, work damage, miscommunications and possible design problems.
The problems triggered an order to stop work on the bridge in Madera County that further delayed the bullet train project that's already years behind schedule, the Times said.
The bridge is part of a 31-mile (50-kilometer) stretch of construction under contract to Los Angeles-based Tutor Perini Corp. The company declined to answer a series of written questions or make a statement.
High-strength steel strands supporting the 636-foot (194-meter) structure began to snap on Oct. 22. A forensic engineering analysis obtained by The Times found that the strands corroded from rainwater that had leaked into the internal structure of the bridge.
The bridge is needed to shuttle vehicles over the future bullet train right of way and existing BNSF freight tracks.
Late last year, crews installed temporary steel supports to prevent it from collapsing.
The span is part of a planned $20 billion bullet train operation from Merced to Bakersfield.