Md. Commuter Wins Right to Blow Up Wilson Bridge

BlackSheep · 08-23-2006, 01:50 PM

Maryland commuter who once crushed his hip in a crash on the Wilson Bridge has won the right to bring the old bridge down.

Dan Ruefly of Accokeek has been selected as the winner of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project's "Toughest Bridge Commute" contest.

The essay about Ruefly was picked out of 312 entries, and his prize is to trigger the detonation charges that knock down nearly a half-mile stretch of elevated steel girders that supported the old bridge.

Ruefly, who was nominated by his daughter, has been a five-day-a-week commuter for more than 28 years and faces a 2-hour drive in the morning and another 90 minute drive at the end of the day.

His toughest commute came in September 1999 when he switched lanes and slammed into a stopped tractor-trailer straddling the right lane and the old bridge's four-foot-wide shoulder.

The detonation is scheduled for 11:59 p.m. on Monday. The four runner-ups also will be invited to attend the detonation.

Congratulations Dan! Can hardly wait to read his entry.
I can think of a couple of bridges I'd like to blow up!

In all my yrs. of traveling across that bridge, never have I had a 2-hour drive in the morning and another 90 minute drive at the end of the day!!!!!!

*desertrat* ^(Premo) · 08-23-2006, 01:55 PM

I'd say lucky guy, but it doesn't sound right. I'd like to push that plunger!

CableChick · 08-23-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSheep

Maryland commuter who once crushed his hip in a crash on the Wilson Bridge has won the right to bring the old bridge down.

Dan Ruefly of Accokeek has been selected as the winner of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project's "Toughest Bridge Commute" contest.

The essay about Ruefly was picked out of 312 entries, and his prize is to trigger the detonation charges that knock down nearly a half-mile stretch of elevated steel girders that supported the old bridge.

Ruefly, who was nominated by his daughter, has been a five-day-a-week commuter for more than 28 years and faces a 2-hour drive in the morning and another 90 minute drive at the end of the day.

His toughest commute came in September 1999 when he switched lanes and slammed into a stopped tractor-trailer straddling the right lane and the old bridge's four-foot-wide shoulder.

The detonation is scheduled for 11:59 p.m. on Monday. The four runner-ups also will be invited to attend the detonation.

Congratulations Dan! Can hardly wait to read his entry.
I can think of a couple of bridges I'd like to blow up!

In all my yrs. of traveling across that bridge, never have I had a 2-hour drive in the morning and another 90 minute drive at the end of the day!!!!!!

When I lived in Indian Head and worked in Alexandria it took me a good 1 1/2 hours to get to work every day one way.

CityGrl · 08-23-2006, 02:52 PM

Those of us who live in Old Town not far from the bridge are just SO HAPPY that they decided to blow this thing during the week.

Of course, we'll be out there watching in our pajamas!

huntr1 · 08-23-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSheep

His toughest commute came in September 1999 when he switched lanes and slammed into a stopped tractor-trailer straddling the right lane and the old bridge's four-foot-wide shoulder.

Let me get this straight. Because he can't drive, he gets to blow up a bridge? Personally, I think the person in the car directly behind him when he hit the tractor trailer should get to blow it up.

mainman · 08-23-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntr1

Let me get this straight. Because he can't drive, he gets to blow up a bridge? Personally, I think the person in the car directly behind him when he hit the tractor trailer should get to blow it up.

Maybe you'll get to blow up a bridge some day too...

kwillia · 08-23-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainman

Maybe you'll get to blow up a bridge some day too...

:mindofasteeltrap:

chernmax · 08-23-2006, 05:30 PM

I'd like to blow up some of the drivers that cause the delays instead...

huntr1 · 08-24-2006, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainman

Maybe you'll get to blow up a bridge some day too...

Shouldn't I get to blow up an Isuzu dealership instead?

Magnum · 08-24-2006, 08:27 AM

I think they should leave the old one open untill the other new one is built. Right now I avoid it by going on 395 and 295. Next week I'll be starting to work out in Fairfax so I'll have to cross it

08-23-2006, 01:50 PM	#1
BlackSheep Registered User Member Since: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,130	Md. Commuter Wins Right to Blow Up Wilson Bridge Maryland commuter who once crushed his hip in a crash on the Wilson Bridge has won the right to bring the old bridge down. Dan Ruefly of Accokeek has been selected as the winner of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project's "Toughest Bridge Commute" contest. The essay about Ruefly was picked out of 312 entries, and his prize is to trigger the detonation charges that knock down nearly a half-mile stretch of elevated steel girders that supported the old bridge. Ruefly, who was nominated by his daughter, has been a five-day-a-week commuter for more than 28 years and faces a 2-hour drive in the morning and another 90 minute drive at the end of the day. His toughest commute came in September 1999 when he switched lanes and slammed into a stopped tractor-trailer straddling the right lane and the old bridge's four-foot-wide shoulder. The detonation is scheduled for 11:59 p.m. on Monday. The four runner-ups also will be invited to attend the detonation. Congratulations Dan! Can hardly wait to read his entry. I can think of a couple of bridges I'd like to blow up! In all my yrs. of traveling across that bridge, never have I had a 2-hour drive in the morning and another 90 minute drive at the end of the day!!!!!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook __________________ "They say that success has 1000 fathers and failure is an orphan." "For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." "Scars are tattoos with better stories."
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08-23-2006, 01:55 PM	#2
desertrat ^(Premo) 0_0 Member Since: Jun 2005 Posts: 25,112	I'd say lucky guy, but it doesn't sound right. I'd like to push that plunger! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook
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08-23-2006, 02:52 PM	#4
CityGrl Time for a nap Member Since: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,064	Those of us who live in Old Town not far from the bridge are just SO HAPPY that they decided to blow this thing during the week. Of course, we'll be out there watching in our pajamas! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook
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08-23-2006, 05:30 PM	#8
chernmax NOT Politically Correct!! Member Since: Jul 2006 Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern MD Posts: 15,372	I'd like to blow up some of the drivers that cause the delays instead... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook __________________ “When somebody doesn't do the job, we gotta let ‘em go.” ~ Clint Eastwood
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08-24-2006, 08:27 AM	#10
Magnum Should be Huntin Member Since: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,927	I think they should leave the old one open untill the other new one is built. Right now I avoid it by going on 395 and 295. Next week I'll be starting to work out in Fairfax so I'll have to cross it Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Add post to Facebook
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