jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Sometimes, all it takes is neglect and gravity to cause a bridge to fail. The headline below is from today's Boston Globe, and it's the same throughout the country.

"More than 400 Massachusetts bridges are considered at the ‘end of their useful life'.
The bridges, including the largest in New England, are considered to be in such poor condition that they either need to be replaced or need major work, according to state and federal data."

"Maintenance? Oh, it's good enough for now. Let the next governor (or whoever) take care of it."

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

They are more interested in building new highways and bridges. Maintenance is mostly lacking.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

The railroads call it Deferred Maintenance, instead of fixing it they just reduce the track speed.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

PLEASE DON'T SEND THIS TO THE ATTIC. IT ISN'T AN ARGUMENT ABOUT EACH OTHER. PLEASE, I'M DONE.

Jerry, this has been a major problem for decades. I drove all over the continental US, except for Washington and Idaho, for 28 years (1979 to 2007) and when you are in an 18 wheeler pulling a 53 foot trailer or Double trailers with a full load making 80,000 lbs for the tractor, trailer, and cargo, you got over being worried about going over many bad bridges, especially in the north east (no offense). PLEASE DON'T SEND THIS TO THE ATTIC. It has always been the fault of our politicians not providing the funds to do the necessary maintenance. This applies to airports, railroads. Also, the government complaining about Social Security running out of money at a certain time. I have heard it for years, so has the rest of us. Maybe they shouldn't have taken our money out of SS to use on something else, and never paying it back. If we did those things we would be in court waiting to find out how long we would be in prison and how much our fine was. We have let them get away with too much.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Somehow the government has had the money to replace the concrete on the approximately 30 year old bridges on 469 around Fort Wayne, Indiana;but it has taken 2 construction seasons. I have yet to see the steel beams replaced.
ABC news says (cannabis smoking) experts estimate $400 to $800 million and 18 months or more to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge. But those with real experience suggest 5 to 7 years due government getting the design requirements, engineering design time, bids, sorting out the best for the job and material procurement. While others suggest the example of the Interstate 35W bridge took only 14 months. which was a simpler single span bridge.

dustie Loc: Nose to the grindstone

Good warning and awareness, Jerry.

Right beside the warning, "Do not walk beneath ladders", there should be a placard with this, "Do not go beneath, on top of, or anywhere near the sides of bridges.....always find a detour without bridges."

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I think we need to provide a viable way to insure that the infrastructure of this country remains intact. Perhaps engineering students can offer some time and receive school credit. Working with engineers, students can provide up to date insight into the maintenance of our collapsing and antiquated infrastructure.

PS: my son had received his PhD from Virginia Tech in engineering.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

W9OD Loc: Wisconsin

My son is an engineer and is a bridge and dam specialist. I showed the underside of a bridge on a major highway in our area. He said I should contact the DOT, gave me the lingo. On that Friday I sent an email to the state, Monday, they sent a response and that year they fixed it. I was surprised with the “immediate” response I got😳.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, that is surprising.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

A couple of years ago a bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh, there was a walkway below it. Fortunately no one was under the bridge when it collapsed, but it took a couple of days before they were sure.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I think that's the one I've seen on YouTube several times. The bridge inspectors kept giving it a lower and lower rating. I guess that doesn't count until the bridge falls to ground level.