Caltrans officials are making their final preparations for Saturday’s implosion demolition of pier three, a remnant of the old Bay Bridge structure to the east of Yerba Buena Island. The implosion is scheduled to occur at one of two times – either early in the morning between 7 and 7:30 am, or at around 1 pm that afternoon in order to take advantage of shockwave-minimizing tidal patterns.
For more details regarding traffic on the Bay Bridge, environmental considerations, or information regarding Caltrans’ demolition preparations, please visit their website by clicking here.
Though the implosion is only expected to last a matter of seconds, BART will be holding trains at Embarcadero and West Oakland stations for a maximum of fifteen minutes while seismic equipment gathers vibration data from within the Transbay Tube.
The Transbay Tube itself is not in any danger of taking on damage from the pier implosion as it is well beyond the minimum safe distance from the site, as well as buried under a thick layer of mud at the bottom of the Bay. However, Caltrans is taking scientific measurements from sites all around the pier and needs to eliminate the slight vibrations from trains normally operating through the tube in order to record accurate data.
BART’s Operations Control Center will be in direct, open communication with Caltrans for the duration of the implosion. In the extremely unlikely event significant vibrations are recorded within the tube, BART will undergo the same procedures and inspections it does in responding to the many minor earthquakes that regularly rattle the Bay Area.
As always, safety and reliability are our top concerns and we are grateful for Caltrans’ sensitivity to our operational needs as we work together to keep the Bay Area moving.
CALTRANS press release from Nov. 3
Pier E3 Implosion Planned for Saturday 11/14
OAKLAND–Today, Caltrans announced that the implosion of Pier E3 is scheduled take place on Saturday 11/14, one week later than previously planned. Experts opted to move the date Tuesday morning after their thorough inspections found certain project materials were unsatisfactory.
“This is our process at work,” said Brian Maroney, Chief Bridge Engineer for the Caltrans Toll Bridge Program. “Safety is the first priority. We commend the contractor for their diligent and extensive verification of the product they received, and for swiftly notifying us of the desire to reschedule. Safely and responsibly executing the implosion within the month of November remains our main objective.”
Today, the media was given an extensive briefing on what to expect on the updated implosion date of Saturday November 14th, including environmental monitoring procedures, scientific analysis and predictions of what to expect before and after the event.
Members of the public should keep the following in mind during the implosion on Saturday November 14th:
- The implosion is expected to total six seconds, and will occur mostly underwater.
- The single best place to watch the implosion will be online. Follow along on twitter at #E3Implosion, or check http://www.dot.ca.gov/e3implosion/ for more information.
- There is a perimeter of 1,500 feet around the demolition site, which will be enforced by the California Highway Patrol.
- Bay Bridge traffic will be held for approximately 15 minutes to prevent potential distraction to drivers.
- BART trains will be held temporarily outside of the Transbay Tube, resulting in slight delays.
- The public will have no access to viewpoints on the eastern side of Yerba Buena Island.
- The bike path will be closed to the public starting at 6pm on November 13 until after the implosion, at least 10 am on Saturday November 14.
