Google shows the future of public construction
By Caley Clinton • Feb 8th, 2010 • Category: Builder Now
(Image courtesy of Google Earth)
Californians can’t drive across the Bay Bridge’s $6.3 billion east span for another three to four years, but with the help of Google Earth, anyone can take a virtual drive across the unfinished structure with the click of a mouse.
Through a unique partnership with the California Department of Transportation, Google is offering views of what the completed bridge will look like through its Google Earth program (users must have the 3D Buildings option to view it). Users can also track construction, as incomplete portions will change color to reflect when they are completed.
Google had to bend its own rules to allow the project to appear on Google Earth – typically it only allows completed structures to appear – but it hopes the partnership will result in similar collaborations on public projects going forward.
Wouldn’t it be great if this was available for large road projects such as the ongoing Zoo Interchange work or Highway 41 construction?
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Caley Clinton is the editor of Wisconsin Builder magazine. You can follow Caley and Wisconsin Builder magazine on Twitter for daily links, news and more.
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[...] Wisconsin Builder » Builder Now » Google shows the future of public construction wibuilder.com/blog/2010/02/google-shows-the-future-of-public-construction – view page – cached Californians can’t drive across the Bay Bridge’s $6.3 billion east span for another three to four years, but with the help of Google Earth, anyone can take a virtual drive across the unfinished structure with the click of a [...]