Posted on 01/22/2017 12:41:14 PM PST by BenLurkin
A ruptured bridge truss, the bracing structure of beams below the surface, under the westbound lanes of the bridge left the heavily traveled bridge closed to traffic on Friday.
The fracture was discovered during a routine check of a painting project and the bridge, which handles roughly 42,000 vehicles a day, was shut down.
...
One official added that the fracture could have been caused by changing weather conditions, Philly.com reported.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
Whatever the cause of the failure, how do the engineers determine if the bridge’s other components are in the same “ready to snap” same condition?
I think that's why it's going to take two weeks just to inspect the bridge. (I would think that they would image all critical structural components for early evidence of cracks.)
This is the bridge that connects the NJ and PA turnpikes. I might expect some EPIC traffic problems in the area starting tomorrow AM.
Bridge is 60 years old. Gone through a lot of expansion and contraction over time.
Looks like it got plenty of paint over the years, but might be rusting anyway.
“One official added that the fracture could have been caused by changing weather conditions, Philly.com reported.”
Stupidity knows no bounds.
We drove through the Delmarva Peninsula on our way to Florida 5+ years ago. It was lovely.
Wow, that’s a pretty clean break. Don’t see any obvious rust.
The paint looks good. The break in the steel is rusted.
I’d post more, but the moment is to great to stick around
That’ll buff right out.
What’s in that rusty inner bit? Looks like a round something? A void, rivet? Weird.
All true, but if the structure is otherwise sound, it should be possible to stitch it back together safely.
It’s nothing a little Hope and Change can’t fix.
George Washington didn’t need no stinking bridge. Man up and stop being so lazy, commuters.
That’ll buff right out!
Ha! Great minds and all! 8^)
It’s the burlington-bristol bridge not the “delaware river bridge”. It is a lift bridge supporting freigters sailing up to trenton(”what trenton makes the world takes”). all steel see thru no tar. used to love going across on my motorcycle and looking down on the river.
That's not a crack
That's a clean break. A total disconnect.
Sort of like Obama's claim for his performance as president and painful reality...
Two weeks to inspect a major bridge.
Of course that’s only working first shift, no weekend work, no bad weather.
Can’t afford overtime or shift differential, don’cha know!
The drivers can go to hell.
might be considered an island. I wouldn’t want wilmington. too much crime for such a small city.
Delmarva is rural and conservative.
Because they are tied in with Wilmington and Maryland they really have no representation.
If Delmarva becomes a state, Wilmington area becomes part of Maryland which is already Democrat and unlikely to change.
Delmarva provides one more conservative congressman and two more conservative senators.
Maryland would gain one congressman.
inferior steel (Chinese?) the steel was probably local in 1930. down the street was US steel. Or maybe coatesville.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.