Rotted bridge beams have added $2.6 million to the cost of City College’s bridge renovation, a project originally estimated to cost less than a half million dollars.

Measure V funds will cover the extra costs and the college hopes to have the majority of the bridge renovations finished during winter break, finishing the aesthetics in the spring.

“We’re lucky we found [the damage] when we did, rather than [the bridge] failing with people on it,” said Program Manager Steve Massetti. “We expected to see some damage, but not to the extent we saw.”

Although it is to be approved, the college received a proposal totaling $2.6 million from Cushman Contractor Corporation and an independent cost estimator. The two are working with a civil engineer who will confirm the costs of the remaining work.

“It’s been a project that’s grown dramatically because there was so much unknown damage,” Massetti said.

The original plans called for cosmetic and small structural repairs, but when workers began dismantling the bridge they discovered rot. The rot is in exposed areas that are susceptible to the elements. Moisture penetrates the screws that connect handrails to beams.

The proposed work will include the removal of all the old beams, the installation of new beams, concrete repairs, fumigation and treatment of old material, cosmetic repairs among other work.

“The assumption is, we’re replacing all of the damaged material we can find,” said Joe Sullivan, vice president of business services. “We’re doing the best we can to get the work done while the bridge is still open.”

In an effort to prevent future problems, the school will install beams made of Alaskan Yellow Cedar wood, which is both rot and pest resistant. The beams used before were made of untreated Douglas Fir wood.

The contractor has also redesigned some areas to allow ventilation, and previously unprotected areas will now be covered to provide weather protection.

An inspection report from Timber Product Inspections in 2007 stated that the bridge was in good condition.

Although this construction forced students to deal with a crowded, narrow bridge undergoing construction, most students don’t seem to mind.

“It’s a little crowded, but standard for construction,” said Olivia Davi, a second-year student who uses the bridge about three times a day.

“I think there could have been a more convenient time to do construction, but they’re just trying to get it done,” said student Jordan Brown.

Director of Security Erik Fricke said his staff has been forced to drive under the bridge to get around, but it’s not much of a problem.

“It slows us down, but we’re still able to get from campus to campus,” he said. “We’re still able to get the job done.”