Perhaps you remember pictures of the big hole in the roadway of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge that was caused by the 1989 earthquake. After that, the state of California decided to replace the landmark span with an "earthquake-proof" New Bay Bridge. Along with the engineering challenges, the cost has turned out to be a problem.
The 2004 Olympics begin next week, but the celebration in Athens is already under way. Tonight, to open the Hellenic Festival of the arts, Simon Rattle conducts the Berlin Philharmonic and pianist Daniel Barenboim at the seat of the ancient city.