If you build it, they will come — on Google Earth
Those of us in the San Francisco Bay Area can watch the construction of the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge anytime we want. Unfortunately, most of the time that means sitting in traffic on the current Bay Bridge. But now there’s another option, and it’s not just for us locals: Watch it on Google Earth.
The large construction project is now being rendered in full 3D in the “3D Buildings” layer on Google Earth. It’s the first time a construction project has been featured, according to the Google Lat Long Blog.
Seeing as completion of the bridge isn’t scheduled until 2013, it’s obviously not all built yet, but a transparent placeholder is also displayed in 3D for the remainder of the bridge. This allows you to see what the one giant suspension tower will look like.
From the Google Earth entry:
The signature portion of the new East Span—and the Bay Bridge—will be the world’s largest Self-Anchored Suspension Span, which will also be the first bridge of its kind built with a single tower.
Oddly enough, I was just remarking over the weekend on Twitter how I don’t fully appreciate that I can see the Golden Gate Bridge from my desk, and users on FriendFeed were quick to point out that, thanks to online services like Google Earth, pretty much anyone can see such great views virtually. Now that includes giant construction sites as well.
.
Next Story: Xobni raises $7M to battle Outlook’s email overload
Previous Story: Roku’s second act: Amazon Video on Demand
About the Author, MG Siegler
MG Siegler writes about technology trends and new media for VentureBeat, with a focus on mobile topics, social elements and key news stories. Before that, MG wrote about technology on his blog, ParisLemon. Originally from Ohio, MG attended the University of Michigan where he studied film. He's previously lived in Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where he did web development. He now lives in San Francisco.