Updated

Commuters face a third morning of heavy congestion as officials keep the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge closed to finish emergency repairs.

The state Transportation Department had hinted that the span might reopen for the Friday morning commute, then backed off that estimate.

Spokesman Bart Ney says he still can't give an exact time for when repairs and inspections will be complete.

Crews are furiously working to fix a section of the bridge where two rods and a crossbar broke and fell onto westbound lanes Tuesday.

The pieces were part of major repairs done over Labor Day weekend.

Meanwhile, some drivers have clogged nearby bridges for their commute, while others have helped push Bay Area Rapid Transit ridership to record levels this week.

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