Stories you shouldn’t miss:
1. A renowned civil engineer says more than 600 steel rods on the new Bay Bridge were made to be too hard and could be vulnerable to cracking, SFGate reports. Tests show that the rods rated at hardness levels above industry standards — just like the 32 giant bolts that already snapped. However, John Fisher, a civil engineer and bridge specialist working with Caltrans, said the agency should wait for the results of more testing before deciding to replace the 600-plus rods. Those tests also will help the agency determine whether to delay the planned Labor Day opening of the new $6.4 billion span.
