Look the government does pay attention to our treads

[timex]

Dyson Calls for Integrity Check of Johnson Bridge in Lieu of Minneapolis Disaster

GREAT MILLS, Md. (Aug. 2, 2007) – The day following the catastrophic collapse of an Interstate bridge in Minneapolis, State Senator Roy P. Dyson (D-29) called for an integrity check of the Governor Thomas Johnson bridge over the Patuxent River. The bridge connects lower Calvert County to St. Mary’s County and is a major thoroughfare for commuters who work at the Patuxent River Naval Complex.

The I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed yesterday evening during busy rush hour traffic. As early as 1990, the federal government classified the structure as “structurally deficient.” According to the federal database of nationwide bridges, 1-in-4 bridges are currently classified as “structurally deficient” or “obsolete.”

Today, Dyson corresponded with Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) administrator Neil Pedersen. Dyson inquired of Pederson, “I would like to know when the last time this bridge was inspected, when it will be inspected again and what are the exact specifications that determine whether this bridge is safe.”

The entire correspondence is reprinted below.

Dyson has been a longtime proponent of a second span adjacent to the current bridge and commuter rail into the region, to alleviate the congestion on local roadways.

Attention to the aging national infrastructure has not been a priority in many years as many politicians preach tax cuts, small government, and the corporatization/privatization of the public trust and commons. In August 2003, parts of the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada experienced a sustained power blackout. Government experts blamed an outdated power grid.


Dear Neil:

As you know, I have been concerned about the safety of the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge for many years. I have put in legislation the past two General Assembly Sessions mandating that the Maryland Department of Transportation replace the bridge which is traveled extensively by thousands of my constituents every day. I am informed each year by you and others at the department during the hearings for this bill that the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge is inspected regularly and is safe.

I would like to know when the last time this bridge was inspected, when it will be inspected again and what are the exact specifications that determine whether this bridge is safe. Are these inspections cursory or do you look at the entire superstructure including below the water line.

As always, thank you for your attention to matters of concern to the constituents we are mutually privileged to serve and I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

All good wishes,

Roy Dyson

 

[Kain99]

It's truly frightening but that bridge is a disaster waiting to happen. :shudder:

 

[thejteam]

So who comes up with the headlines around here? "In lieu of" is used incorrectly. It means "instead of" or "in place of" in the context of substitution. As in "I helped my friend fix his car in lieu of paying him back for lunch."

 

[K_Jo]

So who comes up with the headlines around here? "In lieu of" is used incorrectly. It means "instead of" or "in place of" in the context of substitution. As in "I helped my friend fix his car in lieu of paying him back for lunch."

If only timex had posted a summary with a link. :sigh:

 

[chuckster]

The reply,,,

Senator Roy Dyson;
The Thomas Johnson Bridge was last inspected on January 24, 2006 and is scheduled to be inspected again by January 2008, although this may be moved up to Fall 2007 in order to take advantage of better weather. The last underwater inspection took place in August 2005 and will be inspected again by August 2009. The results of the most recent inspection indicate that the bridge received a rating of 6 for each of the three main rating elements; substructure, superstructure and deck. These ratings are on a scale of 0 to 9, of which 9 represents a new bridge and 0 represents a bridge that is closed. A rating of 6 indicates that the bridge is in satisfactory condition, showing only some minor deterioration. A bridge would have to have one of its main elements rated as a 4 to be classified as structurally deficient.
The inspection of the Thomas Johnson Bridge is not, by any means, a cursory inspection. It takes two inspection crews and two snooper vehicles, a total of at least 8 to 10 people, two full days to complete the inspection, not including underwater inspection. They utilize a combination of ground level, cat-walk, snooper truck, boat and man-lift equipment to access and conduct the inspection. Requirements for bridge inspection are regulated by the Federal Highway Administration and are guided by the National Bridge Inspection Standards. Bridges are required to be inspected at least once every two years, with underwater inspections at least once every five years. Bridge inspectors are required to be trained and certified, including underwater divers. The biennial bridge inspection for all bridges in Maryland is performed at the "element level", meaning that the inspection is supposed to be "hands-on"; that is, within arm's reach. The results of all inspections are documented in a report, which is reviewed by a professional engineer. Any discrepancies between the current report and previous reports are noted and significant deviations require an engineer to do a follow-up investigation. Results of all bridge inspections in Maryland are compiled and submitted annually to the FHWA, who perform a quality assurance audit of all state bridge inspection programs. Maryland has been cited as an outstanding national example of a quality bridge inspection program.
Thank you again for your email. If you have any further questions or need any additional information, please feel free to contact Neil Pedersen or me.
Robert J. Healy
Deputy Director
Office of Bridge Development
Maryland State Highway Administration

 

[flyingdog]

It's truly frightening but that bridge is a disaster waiting to happen. :shudder:

Any specific reason why you say that, or just a gut?

 

[Kain99]

Any specific reason why you say that, or just a gut?

Probably just scared of bandaids...

 

[awpitt]

So who comes up with the headlines around here? "In lieu of" is used incorrectly. It means "instead of" or "in place of" in the context of substitution. As in "I helped my friend fix his car in lieu of paying him back for lunch."

You beat me to it.

 

[desertrat]

I love that everytime anything that really catches the public's attention happens all the polticians run around screaming "something must be done!" Why hasn't something already been done? This country and the states need to put the money where it is needed. Stop with the ridiculous programs and start paying attention to the infrastructure of the country. The last major improvement made was the Interstate system. I doubt we'll ever see another program of that magnitude.

 

[Vince]

So the bridge inspection says the Thomas Johnson bridge is safe. The inspection results prove it. Now Dyson needs to get off his butt and put another span up like he wanted to do.

 

[Gwendolyn]

I'm really freaked out that the water under that thing is 110 feet deep. I have no idea how I'd get me and my three kids out of the car in time.

I'm sorry to say this but out of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland the drivers down here are the most aggressive I've had to deal with. (and I've lived outside of Philadelphia) It's like they don't care who they hit. Freaks me out everytime I have to go over the bridge with the daily wrecks. It wouldn't take much to send a car over the side of that thing.

 

[desertrat]

I'm really freaked out that the water under that thing is 110 feet deep. I have no idea how I'd get me and my three kids out of the car in time.

I'm sorry to say this but out of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland the drivers down here are the most aggressive I've had to deal with. (and I've lived outside of Philadelphia) It's like they don't care who they hit. Freaks me out everytime I have to go over the bridge with the daily wrecks. It wouldn't take much to send a car over the side of that thing.

Here's what I'm thinkin'. If you actually went over the side near the top, which is also pretty near the deepest point, you'd have a couple seconds to brace yourself. One of the physicists can figure out the exact time you'd have. Anyway when your car hit I think two things would happen. 1. The windows would blow out from the impact (those window breaker thingies are a huge gimmick, they could be useful if you gently rolled your car into a pond). 2. Most people in the car would be so stunned, if not unconcious or injured, by the shock of impact that you wouldn't be able to do anything before your car was filled with water and well below the surface. You'd have the wind knocked out of you. Very few people would have the ability and presence of mind to take a huge breath before submerging and hold it until you exited the car and swam to the surface. The best chance you'd have would be to carry a scuba tank and regulator with you. Remember to exhale on your way up.