1 Dead After Rig Goes Off Md. Bay Bridge Span

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by otter

Anyone remember any other accidents where a vehicle went over the edge?? I can't recall any, but I could be wrong. I think the original span was opened in 1952.

...the only one I can think of. That can't be, but, I don't remember any others.

[bresamil]

What a shame. You'd think they'd have a better system on that bridge than some mere guardrails, there's always tractor trailers on there.

I don't mind driving over bridges but I do get a little weirded out in long tunnels.

[crabcake]

Originally Posted by Baja28

Ditto!

I used to HATE that bridge when I'd drive over to NP's. Now, I get the fun and joy of going under the water on the Ches. Bay Tunnel.

[toppick08 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by jazz lady

Thank you. Obviously I'm not a truck expert.

Originally Posted by jazz lady

It's all about $$$. When they were talking about building the Thomas Johnson Bridge, there were plans to make it much wider but I believe the deciding factor was it would have cost too much. I'm sure the same thing was done for the Bay Bridge.

...Larry is right about those tandem trailer axles.......if he was hauling a spread-axle flatbed, they would be in the water too.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by toppick08

[b]

...Larry is right about those tandem trailer axles.......if he was hauling a spread-axle flatbed, they would be in the water too.

...necessarily. If it had been fixed position or heavier, stronger attachment, maybe there would have been just enough breaking friction to keep it on the bridge? The trailer obviously came free from the wheels before it went over.

[RoseRed (Premo)]

Originally Posted by jazz lady

I saw the story and video on NBC 4 this morning. Obviously the guard rails didn't, as this video shows. The only thing that the guardrail stopped was what looks like the front wheels, which are still on the bridge. The rest of the rig plunged into the water.

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

It looks like the trailer is bobbing in the water.

[toppick08 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

...necessarily. If it had been fixed position or heavier, stronger attachment, maybe there would have been just enough breaking friction to keep it on the bridge? The trailer obviously came free from the wheels before it went over.

Maybe, I'm just saying spreads don't slide...

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by RoseRed

It looks like the trailer is bobbing in the water.

...like the trailer is sitting still. It looks like the cab is bobbing. The trailer must be resting on all the old cars that have fallen over the years. That water is 1,000's of feet deep!

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by toppick08

Maybe, I'm just saying spreads don't slide...

...that. Now, I'm curious if it would have prevented the fall.

[RoseRed (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

...like the trailer is sitting still. It looks like the cab is bobbing. The trailer must be resting on all the old cars that have fallen over the years. That water is 1,000's of feet deep!

You laugh.

True story... years ago Steven's Creek Reservoir was always full of water. In comes the drought and the water recedes very low. Lo and behold, there at the bottom of the dam was a car that has been down there for years.