New cracks found on San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge rods

State officials say tiny cracks found on some of the rods on the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge tower potentially endanger more than 400 remaining fasteners that secure the tower to the foundation in an earthquake.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports Wednesday that Caltrans officials also acknowledged Tuesday that one of four high-strength tower anchor rods they have examined apparently snapped after it was exposed to water and became brittle.

Caltrans chief engineer Brian Maroney says the microscopic cracks found on at least two rods could be more widespread. He says they could be repaired or even replaced if necessary. Nearly all the rods have been exposed to water, and about a quarter of them have sleeves that routinely flood with Bay water within days of being drained, the newspaper reported. The new span opened in September 2013.