Workers to Take 2nd Stab at Hanging Bow on Bridge

Workers will make a second attempt at hanging a huge yellow ribbon this morning on the Coronado Bay Bridge after strong winds foiled the first try Friday, organizers said.

In order to hang the bow, Caltrans will close the right lane of the westbound side of the bridge at 9 a.m. and will reopen it when work is completed, Caltrans officials said.

Lois Silva, director of personnel at Western Lumber Co., one of the companies sponsoring hanging of the bow, said that, after Friday’s foiled attempt, volunteers will have a better idea of what obstacles to expect.

The 135-foot nylon ribbon was to be hung before the arrival of the frigate Marvin Shields, which pulled into port Monday morning with troops returning from the Persian Gulf.

“It’s sad because we missed the frigate,” she said. “But it’ll be there for the next one.”

During Friday’s attempt, the ribbon became tangled and ripped slightly when winds kicked up, Silva said, adding that volunteers will try to hang the bow using a different technique.

After folding the ribbon like an accordion, it will be allowed to slide down the side of the bridge like a theater curtain, Silva said.

Robert Crowe, owner of Flag Masters, the company which constructed the bow, said the ribbon has been repaired and is ready to be hung.

“It was a fairly minor tear, but in time it could have become a real problem,” Crowe said.

“One of the problems with something like this is the tremendous surface area,” he said. When the wind blows, there can be up to 15,000 pounds of pressure on the bow.

The volunteers from different companies that have given time, money, materials or equipment to construct and install the bow will use more than 3,500 feet of cables and ropes to guide and tie the bow to the bridge.