Free Republic

Interstate 580 through the MacArthur Maze reopened at 8:40 p.m. Thursday -- just 26 days after a gasoline-fueled inferno caused it to collapse. The first vehicles rolled east on I-580 from the Bay Bridge toll plaza and passed over the 165-foot stretch of newly laid freeway. A short time earlier, workers ripped canvas and plastic blankets from the concrete roadway poured Sunday afternoon, spritzed the deck with curing compounds, applied lane stripes and gave it a good sweeping. "First of all we want to thank everyone for their patience,'' said Bob Haus, spokesman for Caltrans after the reopening. Asked why...

Speedy repairs on the melted MacArthur Maze freeway section that reopens Friday in Oakland have stoked interest in expanding the use of financial bonuses to motivate Caltrans contractors to finish projects earlier. The state Senate transportation and appropriations committees will conduct hearings next month on bonuses and other possible ways to reduce lengthy highway project construction times that frustrate the public, said Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch. Torlakson said legislators' interest was piqued by the MacArthur Maze contractor, which finished the project in half the expected time to earn a $5 million bonus. "This project is a sign of what can...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that the portion of the MacArthur Maze damaged in a spectacular tanker fire last month will be completed Thursday night and the freeway will reopen for the Friday morning commute.