The San Francisco Bay Bridge underwent major seismic retrofits and reconstruction recently. One of the costliest infrastructure projects in the country, the replacement of the eastern span of the bridge has
not been without controversy. I have collected a number of articles from various news sources (with the Sacramento Bee’s Charles Piller featuring heavily) that detail some of the issues that have been raised.
For your second assignment, read these articles and write a 2-3 page report on the ethics of the Bay Bridge. Given the number and scope of the articles presented, you certainly should not include all of
them. Rather focus on one or two issues, describe them, and paying particular attention to the ASCE canon of ethics, discuss the ethics of the situation.
You are certainly allowed to do your own research on the topic. Every several months there seems to be a new story detailing a problem with the bridge. While I have tried to gather many of them, I am certain that I have missed some. If you do come across a good story that I’m missing, forward me the link/pdf so I can include it in future years. Also, as you read the articles from the SacBee, you might get the sense that Mr. Piller has deep seated issues with Caltrans. Realize that while journalists are supposed to present facts and generally be
impartial, he might has his own agenda. I have no knowledge to suggest he is biased against Caltrans; just that you take what you read and view it as objectively as possible.

Category: Essays