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Moraga's Cub Scout Pack 54, Den 2, took to the docks to learn about a giant engineering project in Oakland-the retrofit of the Bay Bridge. The retrofit includes the creation of the world's longest self-anchored suspension span (SAS). The scouts learned the main cable is almost one mile long, extends over one 525 foot tower (that is actually 4 legs), and is longer than five football fields. The scouts were able to climb into a sample "tower" leg and see a cross-section of the 30 inch cable that is made up of over 17,399 wires and weighs over 10.6 million pounds. As part of earning their Engineering pin, the scouts built their own model suspension bridges with toothpicks and marshmallows, attempting to meet all the parameters that the new Bay Bridge must meet as part of modern earthquake safety guidelines. The Bay Bridge was opened in 1936 and is celebrating its 75th anniversary throughout 2012. The new Self-Anchored Suspension Span will be painted a "sparkly" white and will be a beautiful addition to the Bay area skyline.
The westbound deck of the Bay Bridge will be closed during Presidents Day weekend in February. For more information go to www.baybridgeinfo.org.

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