To have a new Bay Bridge, you need a lot of cable. To have a lot of cable, you need a lot of cable saddle -- the world's biggest, in fact.
The world's biggest cable saddle -- the anchor component from which the suspension bridge's one-mile long, 30-inch wide supporting strands lead down from the bridge tower -- was lifted into place Thursday during a 12-hour operation.
The cable saddle is 450 tons, or 900,000 pounds, according to reports in the San Jose Mercury News.
"It's a significant milestone for the bridge because we are at the technical top of the bridge," said Bart Ney, a spokesman for CalTrans.
The milestone comes before the bridge will experience detours over Memorial Day Weekend. The $6.3 billion bridge is scheduled to be completed in late 2013, according to Ney.
The cable will be lifted into place sometime later this year.
New Bay Bridge Cable Saddle is Biggest in the World
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