October 31, 2009 Work continues on Bay Bridge Play video

(NECN/KGO: San Francisco Bay, CA) - Work continues around the clock on the Bay Bridge between San Francisco & Oakland, California after parts of the bridge broke, shutting it down earlier this week.

The Bay Bridge has been closed down since Tuesday night (10-27-09) when parts of the bridge broke off and crashed onto the top deck of the bridge, hitting three vehicles.

Since then, the California Highway Patrol is keeping the bridge closed to traffic while engineers make the necessary repairs.

Repair crews focused their efforts Friday night (10-30-09) on the tie rods on the bridge.

Officials say at least one of them is not sitting properly and it needs to be fixed or vibration and movement could cause problems in the future.

Officials with the California Department of Transportation, or CalTrans, say the work will continue all weekend long until it's done, then inspectors will come in and sign off on it before the bridge is reopened. While the bridge is closed, getting around that part of the bay area is going to be a challenge.

The rapid transit system called "BART" is making changes to its schedules to help people get around the area easier through the weekend.

CalTrans officials are not saying when the bridge will re-open.