: steve heminger holds the power and responsibility to get the bridge built and paid for. ector of the metropolitan transportation commission. >> heminger: i'll tell you, if i'm lucky enough, i want to be on that bridge when the big earthquake hits. >> pitts: sounds like a sales pitch, almost. >> heminger: i'm not selling you on anything. i'm telling you that we have spent a lot of money and a lot of time making sure that this bridge is strong. >> pitts: at $6 billion, this will be the most expensive bridge in u.s. history. the project has created more than 100,000 jobs and is an international effort involving eight countries providing materials and expertise. construction on the eastern span began in 2002 as 452 concrete sections were assembled into what's called the "skyway". it's 1.2 miles long and already finished. it'll take at least four more years to finish the last two- thirds of a mile. when completed, it will be a sleek and modern bridge, as seen in this computer animation. at one end is the signature design feature, a single-tower, self-anchored suspension bridge