I-5 bridge collapse

I suppose we could politicize this by saying one of the highest taxed states in the union can't/won't upgrade or replace an old bridge on the busiest highway in the state, but let's just be thankful no one was seriously hurt or killed.

doxiemom11 wrote:
Bridge is an old bridge that was classified as deficient because of narrows lanes, low clearance etc. I'm sorry, but if 1 truck hitting part of the bridge can make it collapse, I would not feel safe driving on it. What if there was a 5 car accident and everyone hit some part of that bridge. It should be structurally strong enough to take a hit from something without collapsing.

The Load that hit the bridge was a huge ferrocement object that was both too high and too wide, the driver failed to be in the center of the highway where it would have cleared. taking out the top structure failed the whole bridge section.

the truck was from Canada where the no fault insurance will pay the bills.

doxiemom11 wrote:
Bridge is an old bridge that was classified as deficient because of narrows lanes, low clearance etc. I'm sorry, but if 1 truck hitting part of the bridge can make it collapse, I would not feel safe driving on it. What if there was a 5 car accident and everyone hit some part of that bridge. It should be structurally strong enough to take a hit from something without collapsing.

I would say if you have that fear stay off all truss bridges! Most will survive the loss of one member, maybe two but more than that look out.
It wasn't the age of the bridge that caused the collapse it was the damage to the supporting truss members that caused the collapse!

Tom/Barb wrote:

doxiemom11 wrote:
Bridge is an old bridge that was classified as deficient because of narrows lanes, low clearance etc. I'm sorry, but if 1 truck hitting part of the bridge can make it collapse, I would not feel safe driving on it. What if there was a 5 car accident and everyone hit some part of that bridge. It should be structurally strong enough to take a hit from something without collapsing.

The Load that hit the bridge was a huge ferrocement object that was both too high and too wide, the driver failed to be in the center of the highway where it would have cleared. taking out the top structure failed the whole bridge section.

the truck was from Canada where the no fault insurance will pay the bills.

On the local news this morning, it said the truck, which had pilot cars, was trying to move to the centre of the bridge, when another truck decided to pass him on the bridge. leaving no room.

doxiemom11 wrote:
Bridge is an old bridge that was classified as deficient because of narrows lanes, low clearance etc. I'm sorry, but if 1 truck hitting part of the bridge can make it collapse, I would not feel safe driving on it. What if there was a 5 car accident and everyone hit some part of that bridge. It should be structurally strong enough to take a hit from something without collapsing.

An over-height load hit & broke a structural support. They are called "structural" for a reason...they're NOT there for decoration!