Caltrans said it plans to begin making repairs today to the Bay Bridge fenders that were damaged when an empty oil tanker struck the span Jan. 7.  

The tanker, the Overseas Reymar, hit the easternmost tower on the bridge’s western span around 11:20 a.m. on Jan. 7. There was no oil spill, and no one aboard the 752-foot vessel, which was piloted by bar pilot Guy Kleess, was injured, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The fender system worked as it was intended to, and the structure of the bridge was not damaged, according to
Caltrans.

The agency has estimated the damage to the fender system at somewhere between $2 million and $3 million.

A Metropolitan Transportation Commission staff member told the Bay Area Toll Authority Oversight Committee earlier this month that while there is reserve money to pay for the damage, the commission will also try to collect money from the tanker’s owner, OSG Ship Management Inc.

Repairs to the fenders, which are made of steel and recycled plastic, are expected to take about four and a half months, Caltrans officials said.

Several investigations into the incident are ongoing.