Bridge traffic flowing despite threats: ; FBI warns West Coast of potential terror threat

SAN FRANCISCO - Traffic flowed across Bay Area bridges during themorning commute today, despite threats of a terrorist attack. But itwas lighter than usual.

Security was notably increased, as National Guardsmen toured thebridges early in the morning to familiarize themselves withoverlooks, buildings and other features.

On Thursday, Gov. Gray Davis announced that federal officialshave "credible evidence" that terrorists may be targeting Californiabridges. He cited San Francisco's Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, theVincent Thomas Bridge at the Port of Los Angeles and San Diego'sCoronado Bridge as possible targets for attacks over the next fewdays.

After Davis spoke, the Justice Department confirmed that it hadwarned officials in eight Western states about possible attacks onbridges.

The alert was sent to law enforcement agencies in California,Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Montana and Idaho onWednesday. "Reportedly, unspecified groups are targeting suspensionbridges on the West Coast," the FBI message said.

Davis' decision to reveal the potential threats had the supportof federal officials, although they didn't make the informationpublic until after he spoke out.

"I respect the decision Governor Davis made; he exercised hisjudgment," said Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge. "Had he chosennot to reveal, I would have respected that as well."

Attorney General John Ashcroft said Friday that the FBI warningabout possible attacks on West Coast bridges was based on a threatthat authorities deemed to have "relative credibility."

Many commuters opted not to alter their routines, saying thewarning wasn't specific enough to take seriously.

Sonoma resident Constance Kilgore commuted by bus across theGolden Gate Bridge on Friday to her work in San Francisco.

"I"m angry that I'm feeling anxious and afraid. Every time Icross the bridge I think about the terrorists and the way they aregoing to do it," she said. "I don't think our security is goodenough. There's no way they can monitor everything."

Many others crowded onto the subway.

Taking Bay Area Rapid Transit means tacking an extra 45 minutesonto her commute, but film editor Stephanie Shallberg of Lafayettesays she'll take the train rather than drive until year's end.

"There was no way I'd drive over the Bay Bridge," she said Fridaymorning. "On my way home last night, I thought I was going to passout."

Both Southern California bridges had moderate traffic with noreported problems Friday morning. At Vincent Thomas, camouflagedNational Guard troops carrying M-16 rifles stood below the spans.

"This bridge is probably as safe as it's ever been," said JaniceHahn, a city councilwoman who represents Los Angeles' Harbordistrict. California Highway Patrol officers and the U.S. CoastGuard also patrolled bridges and the water beneath them, but that'sbeen standard practice since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Although the FBI said the threat was uncorroborated, Davis toldThe Associated Press he felt he had an obligation to warn thepublic.

"If I failed to share that information and God forbid somethingwent wrong, I'd be kicking myself," the governor said in a telephoneinterview.

Justice Department spokeswoman Mindy Tucker said the informationthat prompted the warning to the Western states was "at a lowerlevel" than the reports that led authorities to alert the generalpublic Monday of the possibility of an attack somewhere in theUnited States.

Officials representing the agencies that operate the bridges saidthey were taking the threats seriously.

Pedestrians and cyclists are still allowed on the Golden GateBridge. On the vehicles-only Bay Bridge, officials were inspectingidentification badges and have welded shut potential access pointsto prevent trouble.

Officials in Oregon and Washington said the alert had triggeredadditional security precautions at some of the most heavily traveledbridges, including Washington's Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Oregon Gov.John Kitzhaber said the Coast Guard would be checking underneath hisstate's bridges more often and he urged people not to be afraid.

"It would be an unfortunate victory we would hand them if peoplesimply stopped driving," Kitzhaber said.

In San Francisco, tourists Sharon and Jeff Forrest of BloomfieldHills, Mich., were strolling across the Golden Gate Bridge about thetime Davis was making his announcement.

"It wouldn't change our plans at all," said Sharon Forrest."There was a lot of security on the bridge and we noticed the CoastGuard under the bridge. As far as we're concerned, you just keepdoing what you're going to do."

But Janet Vuoso, who lives near the Vincent Thomas bridge, saidshe is concerned about the safety of her family.

"I'm going to go home and tell my daughter to stay away from thebridge," said Vuoso, who teaches at a private medical school. "Idon't think it's a question of if, but a question of when."