Posted on 05/24/2013 12:18:57 AM PDT by djf
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. A portion of an Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River, about 60 miles north of Seattle, collapsed Thursday, sending three vehicles and people plunging into the cold water at least 50 feet below.
Amazingly, there were no fatalities, Skagit County authorities said. Three people were pulled from the river and taken to Skagit Valley Hospital and United General Hospital; two were reported to be in stable condition, the other had minor injuries and was being released Thursday night.
The survivor who was released was identified as Dan Sligh, 47. His wife, Sally Sligh, 56, remained in the hospital. The other injured person was reported to be a 20-year-old man.
Both the northbround and southbound lanes of the northern section of the bridge collapsed at about 7 p.m.
This section of I-5 runs between the Washington cities of Burlington and Mount Vernon.
When rescuers arrived, people were sitting on top of their submerged cars. The water is about 18 feet deep where the bridge collapse took place.
Gov. Jay Inslee headed to the scene to monitor the rescue efforts, and the National Transportation Safety Board said it was monitoring the situation as well.
Inslee later told a news conference that repairing the bridge is job No. 1″ and that its unknown how long it will take to replace the bridge. I-5 is a main north-south arterial for northwestern Washington state.He said he will authorize the Transportation Department to establish detour routes to minimize impact on traffic and commerce.
Witnesses say a truck hit the bridge and caused it to collapse, but an investigation has been launched to confirm that, Inslee said. Any witnesses or people with information should contact the State Patrol.
The National Transportation Safety Board is on their way tomorrow, and Ive been in touch with our federal partners. We will be involved in a vigorous and diligent effort to get traffic flowing again through the Skagit bridge corridor and I will issue an emergency proclamation tomorrow to make sure we have the resources to do so as quickly as possible, Inslee said.
Goskagit.com said one driver who had just crossed the bridge shortly before it collapsed told a reporter he felt a vibration and looked in his rear view mirror to see that the section of bridge he had just crossed was no longer behind him.
I thought something was wrong with my car at first, the man told the reporter about feeling the vibration.
The bridge was built in 1955, was inspected last November and it received passing grades, Treece said.
“Pretty much confirmed now that an over-wide or overheight tractor-trailer load struck one of the supports.”
No, clearly George Bush’s fault (either one). Or maybe Reagan’s.
Over-wide trailer load?
Sounds like Beyonce is in the area...
(Sorry! Cudn hep myself!)
;-)
Treece lies.
That bridge was considered “functionally obsolete” in 2000, and again in 2010.
The Democrats running this state have no shame. We’re just lucky no one died.
Per goskagit.com:
“The bridge, built in 1955, was considered structurally deficient in 1992, and functionally obsolete in 2000 and 2010, according to the National Bridge Inventory.”
The bridge, built in 1955, was considered structurally deficient in 1992, and functionally obsolete in 2000 and 2010, according to the National Bridge Inventory.
The bridge was built... in 1955--
So it is without doubt... Eisenhower's fault.
I blame... Ike!
North Burlington Blvd/Riverside Drive already are clogged with traffic, with a Costco, a Cabela's, and several resturants. The intersection that half of that traffic will go through (College Way and Riverside) is already the fourth-busiest in the state. What a MESS.
Very thankful that this accident took no human life.
More like Moosehelle..
No biggie.
Hey, Sandra Fluke got her free rubbers, and the pervs can now join the Gay Scouts!!
Gotta keep things in the proper perspective!
////////////////////////////sarc!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s an interstate highway bridge. I don’t know what the state was thinking by not replacing what is an obviously inadequate bridge.
Nope..
From the start on June 29, 1956, the Eisenhower Interstate System has been known as the Greatest Public Works Project in History
Harry S. Truman fault!
The state is way, way more worried about the Christine Gregoire Memorial Tunnel project in downtown Seattle.
Nice shovel-ready, infrastructure repair, douche bag.
>> Harry S. Truman fault!
Good call.
Yep. Seattle is the root of most problems in Washington State.
Skagit County is a reddish county, the only one in Western Washington, with an economy fueled by hard-working farmers and small businesses.
Not sure why a 'June 29, 1956' start date... would make it Truman's fault?
Harry's term of office ended January 20, 1953... Please explain?
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