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First, as I understand it, an identical bridge sits adjacent. Is it also failing? When was an emergency inspection conducted - and by whom?
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Wrong. the entire north and southbound 35 W bridge collapsed. Each direction was reduced to two lanes from the usual four. so the load was reasonably balanced and actually lighter than usual. On a usual rush hour, take the victims x 2.
The standing bridge is older, not identical in that is not a single steel span. It is a four lane "top" street bridge, not a highway. It is at relatively the same height above the river as 35 used to be.
I've grown used to tw's manner. He touts the primacy of rationale, of the value of embracing a lack of emotion, yet his post are generally spiced with affect-laden phrases like "bean counters" and ironically are highly passionate, (no matter the logic) tirades. So, I am sort of humored by the irony of his argument that seems to escape him.
Yes there was structural failure. Do I blame Bush? no. Do I blame Pawlenty? no. Do I blame the tax payers league? (for alot of stuff but I think this thing was exempt from that noise.)
It strikes me, so far, as a human lack of understanding of the damage and threat. A poor decision but not necessarily with negligent intent. It may well have been the deicer, the rusting, the rumble of the train below, the heat, the vibration from the resurfacers, the fractures, all of the above. I want them to make sure this doesnt happen again. Surveyors were spotted on other bridges today. A lot of repair projects just got bumped to the top of the pile.
Has anyone seen the movie The Sweet Hereafter? I keep thinking about it as the blame is starting to swirl.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sweet_Hereafter