”But in the end all of these ideas just manufacture new criminals when the problem isn't a lack of criminals.” -JRB
Shades of the 1980 Tampa Bay bridge. They put in a whole lotta stuff around the new one to keep this from happening again.
"You win 100% of the fights you avoid. If you're not there when it happens, you don't lose." - William Aprill
"I've owned a guitar for 31 years and that sure hasn't made me a musician, let alone an expert. It's made me a guy who owns a guitar."- BBI
You can play the audio of scanner traffic on the CNN homepage. It’s embedded there and I’m not able to link to it. Law enforcement was able to get traffic stopped from at least one direction. Sounds like they were trying to get word to the construction crew just before the bridge was hit.
Edit: You can listen to it here:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-...idge/103637870
I don't have that Civil Engineering background, but I asked a buddy who has a Master's in Civil Engineering. He's a "structural" engineer who used to design sports arenas and large concrete buildings, and is now the head bridge inspector for a good portion of a Midwestern state. His take is @Chance is absolutely correct. My buddy said in part of his text "...that style of bridge once you lose a small part it all comes down."
What a kick in the ass...going about your normal life and a huge bridge gets hit by a huge ship and collapses and kills you. When your number's up...your number's up. My condolences to the victim's families.
I would bet the replacement bridge isn't the same style as the old one. I hope the State and Federal governments can get their shit together and get the replacement build ASAP. Meaning 2-3 years, not a decade. When the Tower Bridge in Green Bay developed a sag due to some rusty columns giving out, they evaluated and fixed in two months, which was lightning quick. Speed is relative, but possible.
Semi-rant mode on: There's no mystery why this bridge is in the water, there doesn't need to be a lengthy investigation into the collapse. Start the salvage operation as soon as all the victims are recovered and copy an existing bridge that is more tolerant of damage, or see which major engineering firms have a design on the books that can be adapted. They should be starting the ordering process in a few weeks, not in years after all the architects bicker over who's design is more spiritually uplifting.
After the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed, DOT and PennDOT got a new one up in 11 months. They can move fast when they want to (and the current incumbent is an infrastructure guy). I’ll bet a preliminary design will be on people’s desks by the end of the week.
It might not be pretty, but it’ll be strong, functional and capable of a fast buildout.
If we have to march off into the next world, let us walk there on the bodies of our enemies.
Attorney for the pilot involved told CNN that the pilot ordered the anchor(s) dropped and had the helm hard over as soon as the ship lost power.
im strong, i can run faster than train
Some contractor will get rich if his bid is accepted for a new bridge. Lots of overtime for employees. They can build bridges pretty fast if the money is right. It will be interesting to see if it's another truss bridge. Not a fault of the design itself, but the lack of walls to protect the piers.
I find that incredible for a bridge with such long spans, with that much ship traffic that carried that much vehicle traffic.
Last edited by Borderland; 03-26-2024 at 09:42 PM.
In the P-F basket of deplorables.
Daytime view from passing plane.
Code Name: JET STREAM