“The $6.4 billion eastern span of the bridge costs roughly five times its original estimate and took at least seven years longer than expected. It took Caltrans officials 7 1/2 years and $1 million in research before they decided to replace the eastern span rather than retrofit it. In March, as contractors were tightening huge bolts attaching seismic safety devices to the bridge deck, the rods cracked. The surprising discovery of the cracked rods, some as long as 17 feet, led to an intensive investigation into how and why it happened and who was responsible, how the embarrassing problem could be fixed and whether – and when – it would be safe to open the bridge.”
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Lengthy-costly-trail-to-Bay-Bridge-s-eastern-span-4759001.php