Minneapolis bridge collapses

[jon1856]

Trafficland (a web traffic camera site) has a live camera aimed right at the bridge-I have to wonder it anyone was viewing it last night:
http://www.trafficland.com/#start

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally Posted by jon1856

Trafficland (a web traffic camera site) has a live camera aimed right at the bridge-I have to wonder it anyone was viewing it last night:
http://www.trafficland.com/#start

KARE-11, a local TV Station, has several cameras aimed there with better vantage points if you know where to click.

http://www.kare11.com/travel/traffic/

Click on the tab that says "Cameras" and then anywhere on 35 between 94 and 36.

[jon1856]

Minnesota officials were warned as early as 1990 that the bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi River was "structurally deficient," yet they relied on patchwork repairs and stepped-up inspections that unraveled amid a thunderous plunge of concrete and automobiles.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6005140/

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by jon1856

Minnesota officials were warned as early as 1990 that the bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi River was "structurally deficient," yet they relied on patchwork repairs and stepped-up inspections that unraveled amid a thunderous plunge of concrete and automobiles.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6005140/

This is a complete misrepresentation of what those words mean to actual civil engineers.

Just saying.

[DeltAlum]

"State transportation officials were warned as early as 1990 that the 40-year-old bridge was "structurally deficient" and in need of major repair or even replacement.

Federal inspectors gave the same forecast in 2005, but state engineers say the span was not slated for replacement until 2020.

Originally Posted by KSig RC

This is a complete misrepresentation of what those words mean to actual civil engineers.

I don't know what they might mean to a civil engineer, but I'll bet a lot of judges and juries are going to hear them in the not too distant future.

[Tom Earp]

What is sad, is the state of roads and bridges in this country!

The first Inter-State was under DDE as Presidents Adm.

It was started for Military situations and was begun in Ks. I-70.

So, it was expanded to what We know as the Super Highways of today that We all enjoy!

But, they are going to crap and who pays for it?

Either We do or there are deaths such as these and it will not be the last!

States raise taxes and miss use them, period! Oh don't forget about poor contractors and shoddy construction such as the Big Did in Boston!

Scarry isn't it?

How many Bridges or shitty Highways do you drive on?

[DeltAlum]

Am I the only one who thinks about this?

As I have traveled across the country, I have wondered how much our infrastructure cost to build, and how much it would be to replace it.

It was really brought home to me when I was living in New York City and considering how old everything looks.

The collapse of the steam tunnel there, and now this bridge episode in Minnesota have really brought those thoughts home.

The overall situation is really scary.

How in the world can we ever replace this stuff as it just simply wears out?

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

KARE-11, a local TV Station, has several cameras aimed there with better vantage points if you know where to click.

http://www.kare11.com/travel/traffic/

Click on the tab that says "Cameras" and then anywhere on 35 between 94 and 36.

I just found the CNN video showing the collapse:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/...f=mpvideosview

[lake]

That video is pretty phenomenal. I wonder was it taken from the North or from the South? The North side fell first, right?

[adpiucf]

I heard from my friend. He is ok! He actually went over the bridge just 1 HOUR before the collapse!!!

[justabeachbrat]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I heard from my friend. He is ok! He actually went over the bridge just 1 HOUR before the collapse!!!

Glad to hear that.....


And DeltAlum...tried to quote part of your post, zapped it away.
This is a small world getting smaller. Re: Gallipolis, Point Pleasant.
My mom and aunt are heading for a cruise (which sounds good in this stupid heat). Will ask when they get back. My dad was from a big family, but he died awhile back, and after my parents divorced when I was pre teen, the connection with his side of the family was lost. I hear that many in his family are now in Cleveland and (??) newark.

I spent a summer with my grandparents, also deceased, before going into high school. Their house faced a park in town. It is ridiculous how lacking in family history I am.