CalTrans fired inspectors on Bay Bridge who found faulty Chinese welds.

[Blind_Io]

It's easy, just tax the fuck out of imported steel so that it's more cost effective to source it domestically.

 

[Papi-C]

It's easy, just tax the fuck out of imported steel so that it's more cost effective to source it domestically.

Its funny when we do shit like this the foreign companies drag us in front of the WTO but when they do it our Gov't usually stays silent

 

[m_asim]

Caltrans should hire this guy to take care of bridges in Bay Area.

 

[Valgar]

FFS peeps...pull the sticks out of your ass...or in Valgars case...WHATEVER the fuck he keeps up there

Squirrels and mormons.

 

[m_asim]

Squirrels and mormons.

This explains why Prop 8 failed :|

 

[n10sive]

Squirrels and mormons.

well...that explains all the purple squirrel sightings lately, and the lack of Saturday morning knocks on my door.

 

[Marlowe]

We can't source it domestically.

You see, before we had banks to bailout, and auto manufacturers being crippled by their pension costs, we let Big Steel (Bethlehem) take about 30 years to die.

They finished themselves off in 2003, and all their equipment was sold to China. USX is a tiny bit of what it used to be.

I think what y'all are missing is we no longer have the capability to produce it in quantity -- protectionist tariffs won't work.

Shame, that, but we ceased being producers a long time ago.

 

[Caddywumpus]

fuck. we gave china outdated technology so they can sell us even shittier steel?

 

[Jakemate]

We can't source it domestically.

You see, before we had banks to bailout, and auto manufacturers being crippled by their pension costs, we let Big Steel (Bethlehem) take about 30 years to die.

They finished themselves off in 2003, and all their equipment was sold to China. USX is a tiny bit of what it used to be.

I think what y'all are missing is we no longer have the capability to produce it in quantity -- protectionist tariffs won't work.

Shame, that, but we ceased being producers a long time ago.

A lot has to do with the growing EPA restrictions and lack of government help, (retooling funds), in becoming compliant.

Other countries can be dirty as hell, and should be tarrifed to hell for it.

 

[n10sive]

Other countries can be dirty as hell, and should be tarrifed to hell for it.

+10000

 

[Climber]

It's all Obama's fault. :|

 

[Marlowe]

Wow, Climber admits it, I'm impressed!

 

[Traq]

Welding issues caused a big delay earlier. Perhaps people can recall an FBI investigation in to it? And it turned out that it was just a bunch of BS cooked up by disgruntled welders.

Here we go again?

Although, allegedly they are going to dismantle and recycle it now. Interesting. Few years ago they were talking about just dropping it into the bay.

I don't know who "they" are that you are referring to, but I can assure you with 100% certainty that 'blowing it up and sinking it in the Bay' was never an option even remotely considered.

 

[Jakemate]

Welding issues caused a big delay earlier. Perhaps people can recall an FBI investigation in to it? And it turned out that it was just a bunch of BS cooked up by disgruntled welders.

Here we go again?

I don't think so. But I have first hand experience with welding engineered steels.

 

[Blind_Io]

Welding issues caused a big delay earlier. Perhaps people can recall an FBI investigation in to it? And it turned out that it was just a bunch of BS cooked up by disgruntled welders.

Here we go again?

Doubtful, it was an independent quality firm that brought the concerns, not a welder's union.

 

[gixxerjoeca]

Faulty welds on Chinese steel is a common occurence i couldnt count on both hands the number of times jobs ive been on have been delayed due to this problem.

Welding issues caused a big delay earlier. Perhaps people can recall an FBI investigation in to it? And it turned out that it was just a bunch of BS cooked up by disgruntled welders.

 

[Traq]

I don't think so. But I have first hand experience with welding engineered steels.

Doubtful, it was an independent quality firm that brought the concerns, not a welder's union.

Faulty welds on Chinese steel is a common occurence i couldnt count on both hands the number of times jobs ive been on have been delayed due to this problem.

Ok, so that's 3 votes for the conspiracy theory that Caltrans will knowingly and willfully erect a bridge with substandard welds. And 1 vote for the subcontractor was disgruntled their contract wasn't renewed so they tried stirring up shit in the media.

 

[Blind_Io]

I think your timeline is a little messed up. The safety contractor was raising concerns before CalTrans let their contract expire.

RTFA.

 

[mlm]

Ok, so that's 3 votes for the conspiracy theory that Caltrans will knowingly and willfully erect a bridge with substandard welds. And 1 vote for the subcontractor was disgruntled their contract wasn't renewed so they tried stirring up shit in the media.

Perhaps the tinfoil hat welds are the problem?

IIRC there have been numerous hight profile construction projects that have had "weld problems", and those were done by good old infallable US workers. http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/12/navy_faulty_shipwelds_071214w/

Something else to consider is that the technology they've been using to inspect welds didn't even exist, or was never applied to past bridge construction.

I'm admittedly no expert in theis area, but it smells like bullshit to me.

I think your timeline is a little messed up. The safety contractor was raising concerns before CalTrans let their contract expire.

RTFA.

Wasn't the expiration date of the contract set BEFORE any reports were made?

 

[n10sive]

IIRC there have been numerous hight profile construction projects that have had "weld problems", and those were done by good old infallable US workers. http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/12/navy_faulty_shipwelds_071214w/

I commissioned a few ships and rode sea trials and a few others. One day I was standing next to a hatch talking on the phone and I was poking at the weld around the hatch with a pen. All of a sudden the pen went into the weld! Turns out the shipyard workers (Litton) used CAULK around the hatch!!! It was tacked in 4 corners, and caulked all the way around Since it was on the 04 level (way above the waterline) I think someone cut a corner here (ya think?)