Posted on 07/16/2021 8:10:29 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
The 48-year-old Interstate 40 bridge between Arkansas and Tennessee was rated as being in “fair” condition with a sufficiency factor of 58% before a “significant” fracture was discovered on May 11. The structure has remained closed to traffic since that time as crews work to repair the damage, first stabilizing the bridge to accommodate the equipment needed and then removing and replacing the damaged portion of a 900-foot structural beam.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said a fracture may be caused by overload, shock, fatigue or stress. A critical fracture could lead to collapse, if not properly repaired and maintained. Either way, it is beneficial to review bridge ratings and maintain inspections to prevent a collapse or further costly damages.
As Arkansas Department of Transportation Director Lorie Tudor said shortly after the damage was found, had the fracture not been discovered when it was, there might have been a “catastrophic” disaster.
Unfortunately, disasters such as this have occurred in the not-so-distant past.
In 2007, the eight-lane I-35 bridge crossing the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed during repaving repairs. Opened in 1967, the bridge was one of Minnesota’s busiest, carrying more than 140,000 vehicles daily. Since 1990, the bridge had been given a rating of “structurally deficient” by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The term structurally deficient refers to a classification given to a bridge that has components in poor or worsening conditions, according to the National Bridge Inventory. This rating can potentially lead to the structure being undermined and overtopped during a severe weather event or, if neglected, a bridge collapse.
A design flaw involving undersized gusset plates, which connect the structural beams to the bridge, was determined to be a contributing factor in the Minneapolis collapse. There were 13 deaths and 145 seriously injured from the collapse.
(Excerpt) Read more at thetrucker.com ...
“There is no doubt old school graft, but I don’t think highway funds are sent off for mass transit or social welfare programs in the two states.”
You never saw the condition of I-40 through Arkansas didja?
I used to stop before entering Arkansas and take my TV, microwave and anything else that wasn’t bolted down and strap it into my bunk. The potholes and crappy repaving (more like cold patch shoveled in) in AR would bounce anything not bolted down into the floor. It was like driving on a rumble strip all way across the state.
Bill Clinton spent every dollar of highway money either buying votes or lining his own pockets.
He did build a nice expensive highway to Bentonville though..but that is where Wal-Mart is headquartered and Tyson Foods has a huge facility there.
Clinton was followed by democrat Jim Guy Tucker who would later be convicted on charges concerning the Whitewater affair. Lt Governor Mike Huckabee assumed the governors office when Tucker resigned under threat of impeachment.
Huckabee ended up having to raise takes by $505 million to spend on roads and schools.
From what I understand, the bridge collapsed because certain gusset plates on the superstructure were about half the thickness they were supposed to be. I suppose it’s good that the original bridge lasted four decades or so.
The alternate route (1-55) bridge was built in 1949 and ends at a stop light in down town Memphis. The best thing to do is take the time to do a thorough repair of the I-40 bridge, just not a band aid repair to get traffic moving.
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