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Finding Solution To Snapped Bay Bridge Bolts Could Take Weeks

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A California transportation official says it could take weeks or even months to find a solution for bolts that snapped on the new eastern span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

California Transportation Commission Chief Engineer Stephen Maller made the comments at a meeting Wednesday, raising concerns that the span will not be ready in time to open on Labor Day as planned.

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said her city needs timely notification of any possible delay in the bridge's opening to help avoid impacts to local businesses, particularly hotels.

Quan and Maller spoke at a meeting of a state transportation department board.

The bolts that snapped last month connect steel earthquake safety devices called shear keys to the deck of the span and a large concrete cap.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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