 The federal government is getting involved in the investigation because more than $1 million in U.S. taxpayer money was already spent during construction. If faulty welds are found in the support piers, according to reports, much of the new construction may have to be torn down to be rebuilt. The current 68-year-old span was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. At $ 6.2 billion total, the new bridge qualifies as the largest public works project in California's history.
<coherence>  The federal government is getting involved in the investigation because more than $1 million in U.S. taxpayer money was already spent during construction. If faulty welds are found in the support piers, according to reports, much of the new construction may have to be torn down to be rebuilt. The current 68-year-old span was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. At $ 6.2 billion total, the new bridge qualifies as the largest public works project in California's history.
 The federal government is getting involved in the investigation because more than $1 million in U.S. taxpayer money was spent during its construction. If questionable welds are found in the support piers, according to reports, much of the new construction may have to be torn down to be rebuilt. The current 68-year-old span was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. At $ 6.2 billion total, the new bridge qualifies as the largest public works project in California's history.