Originally posted by: Wheezer
As much as I hope against it, I am sure there will be casualties.
![]()
Prayers to those that may have died and/or injured in this tragedy.
Originally posted by: jrenz
You'd think that with all the trillions of dollars we've invested in homeland security, we'd have a carrier strike group half way up the river by now...
Originally posted by: jrenz
You'd think that with all the trillions of dollars we've invested in homeland security, we'd have a carrier strike group half way up the river by now...
Does that mean that you'd rather they not show up to help if your town ever gets hit? Would you opt out altogether of government support following a disaster?Originally posted by: Idontcare
Originally posted by: jrenz
You'd think that with all the trillions of dollars we've invested in homeland security, we'd have a carrier strike group half way up the river by now...
Huh!? Did you absorb anything from how the government handled Katrina?
Originally posted by: Genx87
Originally posted by: jrenz
You'd think that with all the trillions of dollars we've invested in homeland security, we'd have a carrier strike group half way up the river by now...
We are in the middle of a drought up here. Doubt they could get a navy dingy up the river, much less a carrier. One thing, lucky this didnt happen in late April or the water flow would be a big problem.
Originally posted by: Genx87
Sister called, she was in a lab and totally oblivious to what happened. Her lab started at 6:00. Probably drove over it ~30 mins before it collapsed.
I travel that bridge often and one of the local news stations got a hold of an inspection report from May 2006 that indicated fatigue and stress cracking on the stupport structure.
One thing about that bridge I have always noticed. It moves an awful lot up and down compared to most bridges I have driven over. It almost felt like my tires were out of alignment.
Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Sadly bridges fall down once every few years.
If the death toll is only 6 then we should glad that it wasn?t worse.
Originally posted by: DonVito
Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Sadly bridges fall down once every few years.
If the death toll is only 6 then we should glad that it wasn?t worse.
If it turns out that way (which is unlikely, sadly - it appears the casualties will be significantly higher), I agree 100% as to your latter point. As to the former, this is a fairly unusual event - this isn't merely a bridge - it is a segment of an enormous, arterial freeway, and it isn't that often that such a structure collapses without an earthquake or similar triggering event.
Originally posted by: Ronstang
I wonder if more bridge collapses happen in places with cold snowy winters? The extremes in temperatures they are subjected to could have a significant impact on their deterioration I would assume. I know the roads up north sure can be crap due to the constant freezing/thawing cycle.