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TRANSACTIONS NEWSLETTER ONLINE

October 2008

Grand Award: MacArthur Maze Miracle — Turning Disaster Into Triumph

After remarkably swift reconstruction, only a newer stretch of pavement remains as mute evidence of the horrific tanker-truck explosion that demolished a key segment of the MacArthur Maze, the Bay Area’s busiest interchange. (Photos: John Huseby, Caltrans)

Gridlock Averted While Region’s Busiest Interchange is Rebuilt in Just 26 Days

It took just one crash and the fiery explosion of a gasoline tanker truck to demolish the East Bay’s MacArthur Maze, the busiest freeway interchange in the Bay Area. It took hundreds of people working 24/7, under intense pressure, to put it together again. This is a true tale of “Turning Disaster Into Triumph,” featuring teams of engineers, contractors, construction workers, surveyors, public information staff, public transit agencies, local, state and federal public officials, and the news media all working together to repair and rebuild the MacArthur Maze in record time and to plan and publicize alternative routes to avoid traffic gridlock.

The tale began before dawn on Sunday, April 29, 2007, when the tanker accident and ensuing fireball destroyed the upper-level freeway connector to eastbound Interstate 580 and draped tons of softened steel and concrete onto the lower level connector to southbound Interstate 880. The weekend catastrophe set the stage for potential Monday traffic mayhem, since on a typical weekday 80,000 vehicles use these routes to travel to and from the San Francisco- Oakland Bay Bridge.

Phones began ringing at 4 a.m. Sunday and Caltrans officials immediately activated the department’s emergency response center in Oakland. By noon, Caltrans District 4 staff had organized a meeting with representatives from MTC, Bay Area public transit agencies, the California Highway Patrol, and the Oakland police and traffic departments to plan and publicize alternate driving routes and provide increased transbay transit services (along with all-day, free rides the first Monday after the accident). MTC posted detailed information about freeway conditions and transit and carpool options on the 511.org Web site, and the media broadcast news of the accident, route detours and increased services on BART, buses and ferries.

Before the smoke had cleared from the accident, Caltrans engineers were on site assessing the damage and working with the department’s design offices in Sacramento to rough out repair and reconstruction plans. Demolition crews began clearing the site and hauling away tons of debris and contaminated soil. Governor Schwarzenegger issued an emergency proclamation in order to cut red tape and streamline the contracting process. The federal government weighed in, with Mary Peters, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, delivering a $2 million check in person.

By day four after the accident, Caltrans engineers had completed extensive testing and analysis of the damage to the I-880 connector and concluded it had suffered no structural damage and could be repaired. A contract was awarded to ACC West, and eight days after the accident, with workers on 24-hour shifts, the connector reopened to traffic.

Meanwhile, the bigger job of rebuilding the I-580 connector was under way. Concerned about a steel shortage, Caltrans called on worldwide contacts and tracked down supplies in Pennsylvania and Texas. Caltrans engineers drew up specifications for the reconstruction project in just days instead of weeks, offering per-day incentives for early completion or penalties for delays.

Out of seven bidders, the lowest by far was from the company that bears the name of C.C. Myers, who promised to finish the job before the busy Memorial Day weekend. Although some may have doubted him, Myers did as he promised, and the I-580 connector was ready to reopen in exactly 26 days, more than a month ahead of schedule.

— Marjorie Blackwell

See VIDEO: MacArthur Maze Miracle

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