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The California Department of Transportation reopened the Bay Bridge this morning, nearly one week after the bridge was shut down when a repair failed and sent debris falling onto the upper deck.

The first cars were allowed back onto the bridge at about 8:50 a.m.

At a news conference this morning, Caltrans spokeman Bart Ney offered thanks to Bay Area drivers for bearing with the closure.

"Thank you for your patience," Ney said. "I know it's been difficult ... we are happy to be returning the Bay Bridge to public service this morning."

The closure stretched through three full weekdays and this morning's commute, and complicated Halloween plans for many on both sides of the Bay.

BART saw ridership records shattered as commuters flocked to public transit to get to work.

The failure occurred Tuesday evening when two tie rods and a crossbar tumbled onto the upper deck of the eastern span, damaging three vehicles. The rods and crossbar had been installed to take pressure off a cracked eyebar that was spotted during construction over the Labor Day weekend.

Caltrans attributed the failure to the inability of the rods to withstand strong vibrations caused in part by heavy winds last week.

Ney said this morning that crews have been testing new rods that were installed to ensure that vibrations won't be a problem. The repair passed the tests and Caltrans decided to reopen the bridge today.

"We're ready to open," he said.

Caltrans will perform regular inspections by closing lanes during off-peak hours to examine the entire system, Ney said.

The California Highway Patrol planned to escort the first groups of cars across the reopened span.

BART will operate longer trains in their regularly scheduled service to accommodate afternoon commuters who used BART for their morning commute, according to 511.org, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Web site. It continues to provide FREE shuttle service to Castro Valley and West Oakland BART stations approximately every 15 minutes from 6-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. from the following two park and ride lots:

1. 20630 John Drive, Castro Valley - serves Castro Valley BART
2. 7th/Linden Park & Ride lot, Oakland - serves West Oakland BART

The Web site also reports:
• AC Transbay service has reverted back to its normal operation over the Bay Bridge including the AC All Nighter service.
• Alameda Harbor Bay Ferry is operating regular service.
• Alameda/Oakland Ferry is operating an expanded schedule with ferries every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. - 8:55 p.m.
• Vallejo BayLink bus service over the Bay Bridge has resumed normal service.
• Amtrak Motorcoach service between Emeryville Amtrak station and San Francisco resumes its normal operation.
• WestCAT is operating normal service.
• BayLink Express bus 200 will resume service over the Bay Bridge
• Golden Gate Ferry is operating normal service.
• Golden Gate Transit is operating normal service.
• Caltrans Bay Bridge Bike Shuttle is operating normal service.

— Bay City News Service

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