From the picture, they have a big problem. That’s not due to weather. That excuse is brown and sticky due to where it was pulled out of. They have to determine why it failed before they can reopen the bridge. The findings may show a far greater problem in many areas. Fatigue, inadequate design, inferior steel (Chinese?) or some other cause needs to be determined first.
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.
All true, but if the structure is otherwise sound, it should be possible to stitch it back together safely.
inferior steel (Chinese?) the steel was probably local in 1930. down the street was US steel. Or maybe coatesville.