»In which it takes a bridge to do the math

The much-anticipated new bridge in Benicia is boffo over-budget: from $286 millions to $1.5 billions. Now that's a budget-overrun that should make the new Bay Bridge envious! Caltrans's site is pretty lame, unfortunately.

New Benicia Bridge Costs Quadrupled
Posted: December 15, 2005 at 10:02 a.m.

BENICIA (KRON) -- The cost of the new Benicia Bridge has almost quadrupled since 1995 due to problems with the concrete being used to build the main span.

In order for the concrete to harden properly, an expensive cooling system has been brought in. This cooling system has caused the price of the bridge to jump from $70 million over the last seven months.

The bridge is expected to open in December 2007 -- seven years later than planned.

In 1995, when the original planning for the bridge was underway, the price tag stood at $286 million. In 2003, it jumped to just over $1 billion. In October, the cost stood at $1.2 billion.

If the current rate of increase continues at $10 million a month, the bridge will cost $1.5 billion when it is scheduled to be completed in December 2007.

Benicia Bridge Costs

1995: $286 MILLION
2003: $1 BILLION
OCTOBER: $1.2 BILLION
2007: $1.5 BILLION