On October 17 , 1989 , the Loma Prieta earthquake was responsible for 63 deaths and 3,757 injuries . The San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge , which is part of I-80 , suffered severe damage , as a section of the upper deck on the eastern cantilever side fell onto the deck below . The quake caused the Oakland side of the bridge to shift to the east , and caused the bolts of one section to shear off , sending the section of roadbed crashing down like a trapdoor . Caltrans removed and replaced the collapsed section , and re-opened the bridge on November 18
Loma Prieta earthquake
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Interstate 80 in California