Our SCA Spartan warband chapter in Minneapolis was having a meeting that night. One car of folks crossed the bridge a few minutes before it collapsed and another car was very quickly stuck in the traffic jam. The world is a small place indeed.
Hibernicus, sometimes STRATOKLES
A lucky escape, i'm glad they're ok
Me and my wife drove across that bridge in '95, during our only visit to the US!
Oh, it was safe in 1995. It was only declared UNsafe in 1999! Glad your troops are okay, Hibernicus!
Matthew
CNN claimed that several organisations have stated thta today almost a third of the total of US infrastructure (roads, bridges, railways, dams etc) are declared unsafe and obsolete! Someone from a civil engineer organisation even stated that US infrastructure used to be the most modern of the world (60-70's) but that that isn't the case today anymore.
a third unsafe & obsolete, that is a very high number!
Well, sadely, when I went ot college in Montana in the early 80's, you noticed the difference in the road system as soon as you crossed the border from Alberta! Like anything, unless maintained or upgraded, it will deteriorate!
Really glad your people made it ok Hibs!
hock:
Very true. It's sad how many of these roads and bridges don't get maintained simply due to money, or beauracracy.
Thanks for the kind words!
And now fire in Montana, some of our SCA Spartan folk getting ready to evacuate! Egads.
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Bridges! Keep in mind that only two bridges with the same "safety" designation have collapsed in 24 years.
You should have seen the work done here in S Diego a few years ago. Major rework of bridge piers and supports... expanded footings, new and or deeper pilings, new concrete and rebar casings, some with steel casing over that... even a big to-do over removal and replacement of a vintage wooden foot bridge.
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Driving: If you are on Intersate 5 in So Calif and driving south from LA County into Orange County its like driving into another world.. like leaving a 3rd world country and entering a 1st world country! All of a sudden the freeway is wider, with wider lanes, better signage, more commuter lanes, cleaner, better sound baffling, better landscaping and on and on and on...
Amazing.
Even road in Canada leave a lot ot be desired in places! Or perhaps I just notice these things because I go home so infrequently!