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San Mateo-Hayward Bridge Work Disrupts Morning Commute

SAN MATEO (KCBS/AP) - Bay Area traffic patterns were disrupted Thursday as Caltrans crews worked on a section of the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge to repair a crack that was discovered during an inspection Wednesday.

Traffic on the Bay Bridge and Dunbarton bridge were heavier than normal Thursday morning as commuters elected to avoid the repair work, which required a westbound lane to be closed.

California Department of Transportation spokesman Bob Haus says the 10-inch crack was found in a steel beam underneath the roadway.  The beam is supposed to help support the bridge during an earthquake.  The crack did not pose an immediate danger, according to Haus.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

Officials were aiming to complete the repairs and reopen the lane in time for the evening commute.

Haus said it's not clear why the beam cracked.

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