Interstate 5 bridge collapses over Skagit River!

[davmat787]

Not one joke about how Canada is invading your country with oversized loads?

The oversize loads are on their way back, after the CanAsians have hit the Everett WalMart which is maybe 20-30 minutes south of where this bridge collapsed. I am sure their would have been even more traffic from Canada this weekend due to Memorial Day sales.

 

[highland145]

well, large part of the stimulus was overhauling infrastructure, pushing through work many of these structures that were well-known to be obsolete.

Of course, you know...guess which "crowd" blew all the air about work crews essentially "wasting money" repaving and rebuilding all the raods and bridges that were "already there"....

Well, they're shovel ready now.

 

[sandorski]

Was just about to post this. I drove across that bridge a couple months ago, glad it was strong enough not to collapse then...

Ditto

 

[lk2500]

Traffic Southbound is not bad right now, Northbound is like backed up 2 miles in Mt Vernon with a 40-60 minute wait. It's not like you can't get through, just going to take you up to an hour longer.

 

[ViRGE]

Damn. WA says that they're going to be able to build a complete set of temporary bridges in under a month.

Plans are underway to construct a pair of temporary steel bridges across the Skagit River in northern Washington state where a highway span collapsed into the water last week.

The Associated Press has learned from an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity ahead of a formal announcement that the bridges will go up next to the original span and will allow limited travel over Interstate 5.

Planners hope to have the temporary structures in place within three weeks. Repair work would then begin on the damaged bridge, with a goal of finishing that work by fall.

The federal government is expected to cover 90 percent of the cost of the temporary bridge and the replacement.

 

[Jodell88]

Damn. WA says that they're going to be able to build a complete set of temporary bridges in under a month.

They may use a couple of bailey bridges.

 

[BoomerD]

They may use a couple of bailey bridges.

That's what I heard them say on the news a couple of days ago.

They were supposed to have moved a crane barge and some barge-mounted excavators to the site last night/this morning to begin dismantling the collapsed structure. I'd love to have been in on that job...

 

[etrigan420]

This is from 2 nights ago. I'll try to head over there tomorrow and see what the setup looks like.

 

[mugs]

Damn. WA says that they're going to be able to build a complete set of temporary bridges in under a month.

I couldn't get a guy to finish my basement that quickly.

 

[velillen]

I couldn't get a guy to finish my basement that quickly.

Have unlimited money inorder to pay him for 24/7 work and no expense on materials and i bet he'd have it done that fast Not like the state is going ot get bids and plan things out. They will just hire and tell them to finish it asap with no care on cost

Its the major interstate in WA so not surprised they will get it up and running ASAP. To much truck traffic to screw around.

 

[ViRGE]

They may use a couple of bailey bridges.

I had to look up what one of those was. It looks like a neat solution, though I'm a bit surprised they can do it given the length of the bridge (they have to run it parallel while they fix the real bridge).

Though it's amazing just how quickly things can get done when the DOT puts their mind to it. Normally bridges take an excruciatingly long time to build.

 

[Farang]

I had to look up what one of those was. It looks like a neat solution, though I'm a bit surprised they can do it given the length of the bridge (they have to run it parallel while they fix the real bridge).

Though it's amazing just how quickly things can get done when the DOT puts their mind to it. Normally bridges take an excruciatingly long time to build.

Other way around.

They are assuming (or may have already determined) the rest of the structure is sound. So the Bailey Bridge will be only for the collapsed section, while a new bridge will be constructed alongside. The old bridge will not be fixed permanently.

What surprises me about the timeline is that I imagine the interstate will need to be rerouted to accommodate the altered location of the new bridge. Would think that would take time and maybe ~1 mile of new highway construction.

 

[ViRGE]

Negatory. They're repairing the original bridge, not building a new one.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee said Sunday the bridges will go up next to the original span and will allow limited travel over Interstate 5.

Planners hope to have the temporary structures in place within three weeks. Repair work would then begin on the damaged bridge, with a goal of finishing that work by fall.

 

[Farang]

Negatory. They're repairing the original bridge, not building a new one.

Conflicting reports. I saw a Seattle Times report with a graphic of a Bailey covering the section of damaged bridge, not the whole span. Unless they could have a Bailey while repairing, which seems unlikely.

 

[BoomerD]

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Temporary-bridges-planned-for-fallen-I-5-in-Wash-4550123.php

Gov. Inslee today announced a plan to replace the collapsed portion of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River near Mt. Vernon.

“We will install a temporary span on the bridge that will restore traffic while we build a safe and durable permanent span adjacent to it,” said Governor Inslee.

The temporary four-lane bridge will carry I-5 traffic over the Skagit River at a reduced speed and capacity. The bridge will consist of two, 24-foot wide structures to replace the collapsed section of the bridge. These structures will be pre-built and trucked to the site to allow for accelerated installation. The remaining southern section has been examined and will not need to be replaced.

 

[Regs]

Pulaski Skyway in Jersey is next and when that thing goes you're going to have fatalities. Scares the shit out of every time I go across it. It was made during a time people wanted to spend money on things unlike today people rather have government spend the money for them.

Spoke too soon. They're closing the skyway partially for two years on a 1 billion dollar rehab project for the 80 year old structure. Not a moment too late.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Every time I drove over that bridge I wondered why the structure is on top of the bridge and so narrow.

 

[lk2500]

Negatory. They're repairing the original bridge, not building a new one.

Other way around.

They are assuming (or may have already determined) the rest of the structure is sound. So the Bailey Bridge will be only for the collapsed section, while a new bridge will be constructed alongside. The old bridge will not be fixed permanently.

What surprises me about the timeline is that I imagine the interstate will need to be rerouted to accommodate the altered location of the new bridge. Would think that would take time and maybe ~1 mile of new highway construction.

What I heard is that they will use a Bailey type bridge with reduced weight and speed until the new bridge can be built. This should be open in about 3 weeks. They are already removing portions of the damaged bridge.

The new bridge will somehow be built on temporary pylons and then moved over after the old bridge is demolished. Sounds pretty funky, can't wait to see how they accomplish that. Supposedly should be done by September.

 

[BoomerD]

oops...

http://www.king5.com/video/featured...th-height-designated-in-permit-208967341.html

 

[CZroe]

Was the driver going to or from Canada? I'm trying to figure out if a "last stop for legal cush" was a likely factor.

 

[ViRGE]

Was the driver going to or from Canada? I'm trying to figure out if a "last stop for legal cush" was a likely factor.

From. He was bringing equipment down from Canada.

 

[BoomerD]

This has its own wikipedia page now...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-5_Skagit_River_Bridge_collapse

 

[Mermaidman]

 

[mrrman]

I went around that mess on Friday

 

[mrrman]

Was the driver going to or from Canada? I'm trying to figure out if a "last stop for legal cush" was a likely factor.

He was heading South and was bumping against the side rails