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More Than One in Four U.S. Bridges Ailing, Studies Show
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ShareAugust 02, 2007 12:53 PM
New concerns about the safety of the nation's bridges are being raised in the wake of yesterday's deadly bridge collapse in Minnesota. Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics show that 160,000, more than a quarter, of the nation's bridges are rated "structurally deficient" or "functionally obsolete," and many don't have proper warning signs restricting weight loads.
The 160,000 bridges rated deficient are not necessarily unsafe, according to DOT, as long as there are restrictions on the types of vehicles, weight or traffic volumes allowed on the bridge.
But a 2006 investigation by the DOT inspector general revealed that one out of every 10 "structurally deficient" highway bridges did not have load ratings that reflected the condition of the structure. In other words, posted signs told drivers the bridge could carry more than it could safely handle.
"In a worst-case scenario, the lack of a correct load rating or the lack of a weight limit posting could allow heavier vehicles to cross and cause severe structural damage or the collapse of a bridge," the report stated.
The interstate highway bridge that collapsed in Minnesota was rated by DOT as "structurally deficient" in 2005, according to the Department of Transportation.
Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
A 2001 state evaluation of the bridge, however, found only preliminary signs of fatigue. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the bridge had been inspected in 2005 and 2006 and no deficiencies were identified. State officials have declined to comment on the apparent disparity between the findings.
The IG's report found fewer safety concerns overall about Minnesota's bridges compared to bridges in other states. By contrast, nearly a quarter of all highway bridges in the state of Rhode Island surveyed in 2003 were "structurally deficient," according to the report. That state had the worst record in the nation. Michigan and Pennsylvania trailed: between 15 and 20 percent of their major bridges had significant cracks or other damage which reduced their weight-bearing capacity, the report said.
California, Delaware and the tiny District of Columbia, however, saw more daily traffic over deteriorating bridges than anywhere else, according to the report. Those three saw more than 50,000 vehicles a day pass over stressed highway bridges in 2004, the last year for which data was available.
The IG's report estimated that as of 2004, Minnesota had some of the highest average daily traffic over structurally deficient NHS bridges in the nation, some 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles a day.
The Minnesota disaster appears to be the worst bridge failing of its kind since the 1995 collapse of the Arroyo Pasajero bridge in California, which took seven lives.
Other notable bridge collapses cited by the Department of Transportation:
1989: Hatchie River Bridge, Tenn. (8 deaths)
1987: Schoharie Creek Bridge, N.Y. (10 deaths)
1983: Mianus River Bridge, Conn. (3 deaths)
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
August 2, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (12)
here we go - another "epidemic" in the eyes of the media. every time something happens they attempt to paint it as part of a bigger pattern to hype the story, make it hit home with you the viewer and give it more legs. don't buy it.
Posted by: scot | Aug 2, 2007 1:54:16 PM
RE: BRIDGE MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL
GUEST ON GMA THIS MORNING - THE ENGINEER (NAME KNOW)FROM WASHINGTON DC - I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE WENT TO SCHOOL BUT METAL FATIGUE WAS KNOWN AND THOUGHT DURING THE SIXTIES - AND PROBABLY BEFORE THAT.
THAT WAS A STUPID COMMENT - THE SHOULD NOT BE AN ENGINEER.
Posted by: Bertrand Parent | Aug 2, 2007 2:28:40 PM
All these bridge collapses are the fault of Karl Rove, Donald Rumsfield and the Olsen twins...
Posted by: Jazz | Aug 2, 2007 2:45:47 PM
Apparently, Its not only the bridges that are stucturally deficient in the US, but also the government for not doing its one and only job of protecting the state. Recently, I learned that the US is selling portions of our highways to private foreign firms. Therefore, the government doesn't have to finance repairs and maintenence. However, this is why we pay gas tax (at least.25 or more/gal in Maine) and the roads here aren't not well taken care of. So, now where is that money going? Also, these foreign firms will now collect the tolls and increase them at their liberty with no obligation to maintain or repair as needed. I feel like we are being turned into a third world country by our own patriots its like treason. I blame the government 100% for the bridge collapse in Minnesota and for not doing its one and only job of protecting the state.
Posted by: Rachel R. | Aug 2, 2007 3:13:20 PM
We are fixing bridges alright, but only in the wrong country i.e IRAQ. When are Americans going to wake up and smell the coffee
Posted by: MKJ | Aug 2, 2007 3:44:57 PM
America has indeed become a bad joke to the Free World, and future communist and religous nations. The USA always appears to have enough money for Iraqi/Afghanistan invading troops, war ships,guns, airplanes, bombs and bullets, but not enough public sensitivity to replace the old infra stuctures of old bridges which will eventually fall into their lakes and rivers killing more Americans.
Posted by: RedMoons | Aug 2, 2007 3:49:12 PM
There was wall to wall coverage of the bridge collaspse on the BBC in the UK. It was not such a big deal and insurance guys will take care of the claims and there will be litigation. Millions will be paid in damages and punitive damages. Cliamants will be quids by millions of Dollars.
At least four people are confirmed dead with up to 30 missing. Heart breaking. BBC will show the funeral services live.
There was another bridge disaster where some 950 people got trampled. Guess where? Iraq. Oh Iraq!!!!!!!!!! never heard of it. Claims $0.00. Only a 1000 Iraqis. Not a big deal.
Posted by: Anil | Aug 2, 2007 5:44:38 PM
We are fixing bridges alright, but only in the wrong country i.e IRAQ. When are Americans going to wake up and smell the coffee
Posted by: MKJ
You're wrong on one detail there MKJ. We're paying for bridges to get fixed in Iraq, not that they are actually getting fixed.
Posted by: Isaac | Aug 3, 2007 5:41:47 AM
Most Americans are in complete denial about where the US is heading. This bridge failure is a fitting metaphor for the coming collapse of our nation. We had it all, and we have squandered it through excess and neglect.
Some will scoff at this post. But, the evidence of our impending demise is as evident as the rusted metal was on that bridge.
Ignore it at your own peril.
Posted by: Droopy | Aug 3, 2007 10:39:22 AM
Scoff Scoff
Posted by: Jazz | Aug 3, 2007 1:30:25 PM
"This bridge failure is a fitting metaphor for the coming collapse of our nation"
Lets see
Defence spending 2007
$76bn weapons and ordnance
$68.6bn research and development
$30bn national defence programs
$10.2bn missile defence system
$4.6bn Joint Strike Fighter
$925m heavy armoured vehicles
$905m light armoured vehicles
$727.3m Chinook CH-47 helicopters
$603.2m body armour
$131.1m reconnaissance drones
Iraq war is costing $100,000 per minute equals $144,000,000.00 per 24hours equals $52,560,000,000.00 per year
Current spending in Afghanistan is about $800 million a month, or about $18,000 per minute equlas to $1,080,000.00 per 24hours equals to $9,460,800,000.00 per year
So there you are
Posted by: Anil | Aug 3, 2007 5:04:11 PM
Anil, what does the incident you mention in Iraq have to do with a structural bridge collapse in Minnesota? I'll tell you...NOTHING...
What you are referring to happened in 2005, during the march to the shrine of Imam al-Kadhim in Baghdad's Shiite Kazimiyah neighborhood. Thousands of Shiite pilgrims, panicked by rumors of a [Sunni] suicide bomber, broke into a stampede on the bridge. About 1,000 people died.
Sunni insurgents often target such gatherings, which were banned under Saddam Whats-His-Name....
If (and it's a big IF) the people of Iraq can get by their medieval religious differences, come to a power-sharing agreement, and denounce the sectarian violence, the country may get going in the right direction...then religious pilgrims won't have to worry about being slaughtered by their fellow countrymen...
Posted by: Jazz | Aug 8, 2007 12:12:59 PM
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