Bridges ~ Left Unchecked, At What Cost?

Bridges ~ Unchecked Today ~ May Fail Tomorrow

The nation’s transportation system provides a vital piece of the economy, and bridges are a key and integral part of connecting the country.  Currently, at [link url=”http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/a/#p/bridges/conditions-and-capacity” title=”least 33% of the nation’s bridges no longer meet transportation needs“] and were not designed to carry the heavier loads, wider and taller vehicles, or the volume of traffic that now occurs.  These outdated designs lead to accidents that endanger citizens as with the [link url=”http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/07/15/ntsb-bridge-collapse-interstate-5-washington-state/12671469/” title=”I-5 Skagit River Bridge that collapsed“] when an oversized (tall) vehicle hit the metal support beams.

In 1990 the federal government rated the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis as structurally deficient, meaning the deterioration of crucial load-carrying components were found to be in poor condition, requiring repairs or replacement.  At a minimum, annual inspections are critical to the continued safety of vehicles using such structurally deficient bridges.  In 2007, the [link url=”http://www.thinkreliability.com/cm-I35.aspx” title=”I-35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed due to a structural issue“] that maintenance checks and repairs likely would have caught had they been done.

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Other bridge collapses since 2000 include:

• [link url=”http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070816/NEWS03/108160019″ title=”Washington State: Harp Road Bridge, Oakville“]
• [link url=”http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29376124.html” title=”Wisconsin: Hoan Bridge, Milwaukee“]
• [link url=”http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/07/19/i-10-collapse-california/30399815/” title=”California: I-10 Bridge, Southern California“]

Dangerous Bridges

In [link url=”http://www.cbsnews.com/news/falling-apart-america-neglected-infrastructure/” title=”Pennsylvania, the present condition of bridges is extremely critical, as 900 structurally deficient bridges“] are in desperate need of attention to maintain their safety.  Approximately 300 hundred bridges end up in this category each year causing the state to fall even farther behind in upkeep due to a lack of funding.

In Philadelphia, a city that carries more than 900 million people on its roads, a [link url=”http://www.cbsnews.com/news/falling-apart-america-neglected-infrastructure/” title=”22 mile stretch of the roadway on I-95 has 15 structurally deficient bridges“].  A stretch of this roadway [link url=”http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/trending/John-Oliver-re-tells-how-a-hot-sausage-sandwich-rescued-Phillys-stretch-of-I-95-back-in-2008.html” title=”averted disaster in 2008 when an large section of a support beam had a missing 8 foot area that was noticed by employees“] from the Department of Transportation, [link url=”http://6abc.com/archive/6022989/” title=”causing a three-day shut down of the road“] and creating massive traffic issues.

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Aging Infrastructure, Declining Care

Since the [link url=”http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/a/#p/bridges/overview” title=”most recent report card on the nation’s infrastructure“] from the ASCE gives bridges a C+, exactly what does that mean to citizens, first responders, and emergency managers?  It means that although our infrastructure is aging, little attention is being given to key components to ensure their upkeep and safety through  inspections, repairs, replacements, or in providing the necessary funding to complete this work.

The other side of the coin comes from the choices made by local and/or state jurisdictions and their ultimate decisions on just what needs attention.  One only needs to examine a few of the ongoing problems across the nation due to choices, such as [link url=”http://edmdigest.com/response/heres-to-the-heroes-of-flint/” title=”Flint, Michigan“] and its lead poisoning, to realize that as public servants, emergency managers and elected officials need to consider every aspect of their choices, including compounded problems, complications, or possible future outcomes.

Hard earned tax dollars being spent today must meet the needs of the community now and into the foreseeable future.

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The [link url=”http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/a/#p/bridges/overview” title=”American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimates that it will take a $76 billion dollar investment“] over the next 10 years to complete the necessary repairs or replacements to the nation’s bridges to have them meet current engineering standards and transportation needs that will carry the country into the future.

The [link url=”http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/02/us/02bridge.html?_r=0″ title=”collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis that killed 13 and injured 145“], served as a wake up call for many communities who are now looking at ways to increase funding for local infrastructure and transportation.  Some of these options include monies for bridge repairs or replacements to upgrade them to current load capacities and engineering standards, along with regional public transportation projects or expansions, walkways, bike paths, and adjustments to reduce congestion.

Choices, Decisions

What choice will your community make?  Will you be a part of the right decision?

My colleague [link url=”https://amuedge.com/pausing-to-consider-femas-strategic-foresight-initiative/” title=”John Pennington, in his recent post, discusses how the FEMAs Strategic Foresight Initiative“] is seeking to assist communities with planning in this manner.  It is definitely worth the read.

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