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Caltrans Blows Up Old Bay Bridge Foundation

OAKLAND (CBS/AP) -- State transportation officials have used thousands of pounds of explosives to implode part of the old San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as part of an ongoing demolition project.

Crews set off the explosives at 11:23 a.m. Saturday, destroying a marine foundation on the old span.

Caltrans first used the technique to break up one of the old bridge's foundations last November and concluded that the implosion caused minimal environmental damage.

Six foundations are slated to be destroyed next year and seven more in 2018.

Before and After : Bay Bridge Pier Implosion
Before and after images of the old Bay Bridge foundation implosion Saturday. (Caltrans via YouTube)

The California Highway Patrol conducted traffic breaks to keep vehicles on the new span away from the blast site. The new bridge's bike path was closed all day.

Implosion of old Bay Bridge Foundation Oct. 29, 2016 (CalTrans via YouTube)
(Caltrans via YouTube)

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