SF: Bike path flaws add millions to Bay Bridge bill

(SF Chronicle) Design flaws, fabrication errors and snapped bolts dogged the construction of the still-incomplete bike path on the new Bay Bridge eastern span, leading to at least $3.8 million in cost overruns on its handrail system alone, Caltrans documents obtained by The Chronicle show.

The 2-mile-long, rail-lined path opened along with the new eastern span earlier this month and already has proved popular with bicyclists, walkers and runners, even though it stops short of its eventual terminus on Yerba Buena Island. The path will not be linked to the island until 2016, after the old eastern span is demolished.

Problems with the railings on either side of the path - particularly 29 gates interspersed along the route to allow emergency access from the roadway - were evident shortly after the fencing was installed in 2007 and early 2008, the Caltrans documents show. The agency says the problems have been fixed, with money that came from a contingency fund financed by toll payers, and that the path is safe to use.

"We took all necessary steps to ensure the safety and quality of the bike path," Caltrans spokesman Will Shuck said Wednesday. "It will be a treasure for generations." ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Bike-path-flaws-add-millions-to-Bay-Bridge-bill-4807526.php