The troll, who has no name, was created and surreptitiously installed in 1989 on a quickly fabricated section of bridge deck that replaced the pieces that collapsed in the Loma Prieta earthquake. He remained out of sight – only bridge workers and boaters could see him on the north side of the span – and cast his magic to protect the bridge and its users. In early September, when the new eastern span opened, the troll was spirited away by ironworkers, who wanted to make sure he was free before demolition of the old span began
SF Chronicle: Bay Bridge’s mysterious protector out of hiding