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Last Segment Of New Bay Bridge Suspension Deck Ready To Be Installed

OAKLAND (KCBS) - Another milestone moment is coming in the construction of the new eastern half of the Bay Bridge. The last - and most challenging - piece of the suspension span deck is about to be put into place.

The piece is dubbed "Section 14W." It's a 2-million lb. slab of steel, so heavy that it's floating on a barge because the piers at nearby ports can't handle the weight.

Caltrans crews were set to begin guiding the piece into place by the end of the week.

KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:

Putting this piece into place will close the gap between the new skyway and the self-anchored suspension span.

"So you could literally drive after that day from Oakland to San Francisco," explained Caltrans spokesman Bart Ney.

That, of course, is simply in theory, because the bridge won't be open for another 2 years.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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