Caltrans threw SFist for a loop this weekend. The Chronicle reported that retrofit costs for the bridges are soaring...even though Caltrans hasn't exactly been forthcoming with this information. The San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge is reportedly $2.54 billion over budget, and the Richmond-San Rafael bridge retrofit will cost an additional $249 million. Yes, you read that right. We echo the sentiments of state Senator Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch), of the Senate Transportation Committee. He says, "The magnitude of the amount of the money -- it's so far off -- it's 100 percent off." He also comments, "We have to find out how this happened -- what are the cost overruns exactly? How much are the steel and concrete prices? Are there design missteps?" The Chronicle further notes that the deadline to get Caltrans more money is this Friday.

Although Caltrans has not yet admitted the costs, a spokesman blamed increasing steel prices, and rising insurance and bonding costs for the Bay Bridge after September 11th. SFist smells yet another bridge toll increase coming on. We used to commute back in the good old days of $2 Bay Bridge tolls. With the recent increase from $2 to $3, we are worried indeed.