Art of Gears
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Watch Caltrans Implode The Old Bay Bridge Support Piers

By Paulo Acoba

Photo Credit: Lizzie Johnson via Twitter
Photo Credit: Lizzie Johnson via Twitter /
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Although an implosion isn’t nearly as spectacular as an implosion, how often do you get to see such a spectacle in the middle of the Bay.

It took less than 30 seconds for the implosion of the largest support pier of the old eastern span of the Bay Bridge to take place, short enough to fit into an Instagram video and it happened. Earlier today according to CBS Local, Caltrans successfully completed their implosion operation that saw more than 600 controlled charges fully weakening one of the larger support piers with its towers underneath collapsing to the seabed floor.

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For regular Bay Area residents, the technicalities of how it happened didn’t really matter as all anyone wanted to see was an early morning spectacle. And spectacle did they receive. Check out all the videos on social media rolling in and relive those moments from multiple angles.

And if you were worried about any lovely wildlife and fish being affected, rest assured that although there’s a strong possibility that a couple of marine wildlife gave their lives in the process, the amount of collateral damage was mitigated as much as possible. This is California we’re talking about.

November was chosen for the implosion date because birds that take home in the old span would most likely be gone for the winter migration. In addition, Caltrans had multiple people looking out with binoculars over the waters making sure that no species of endangered birds flew near.

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If birds did fly within 500 feet, the implosion would’ve been called off and the birds would be scared away with laser pointers and sound cannons. Also, Caltrans blew air bubbles from all angles around the old pier to ensure that any fish could not enter the blast area.

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