State's bridges to be inspected (Wyoming, Luzerne: inspectors, live, cost)

[NYRangers 2008]

State’s bridges to be inspected
BY NICHOLE DOBO
STAFF WRITER
08/04/2007

State inspectors have been ordered to examine 54 bridges with a design similar to the span that collapsed in Minnesota — including four in Northeastern Pennsylvania.





The state’s transportation director said Friday he believes the bridges are safe, describing the inspections as a precaution.

“Nobody should be concerned about going across any of these bridges,” said Allen D. Biehler, the state secretary of transportation.

The four regional bridges to be inspected are in Pike and Carbon counties. Three are considered structurally deficient — all in Carbon County.

Statewide, a total of 17 of the targeted bridges are structurally deficient and will be inspected first, Mr. Biehler said.

A structurally deficient bridge — while not always considered to be unsafe — is closed or restricted to certain weights or speeds because of deteriorated components.

“We don’t know of any reason why these structures are unsafe,” Mr. Biehler said.

The Minneapolis bridge was categorized as structurally deficient before its collapse Wednesday, which killed at least five. It was last inspected in 2006, and there was no indication it should have been closed, Minnesota officials said.

The cause of the collapse is under investigation.

About 6,000 of Pennsylvania’s bridges are structurally deficient, the highest in the nation, according to PennDOT. More than 580 are in the 11-county PennDOT district that includes Lackwanna, Luzerne, Wayne, Wyoming, Pike, Monroe and Susquehanna counties.

New inspections of the state’s steel deck truss bridges were prompted by a directive from the federal government. On Thursday, Gov. Ed Rendell said he would not order any special inspections before the cause of the catastrophe in Minneapolis is determined.

The investigation will help determine if these types of bridges have particular vulnerabilities, Mr. Biehler said.

Meanwhile, the state inspections of deck truss bridges will cost about $2 million, he said.

A deck truss bridge has supports that run underneath the deck, usually in the shape of triangles. The trusses distribute weight from the deck to the piers.

PennDOT officials initially said there were about 30 such bridges in the state, but updated the number to 54 after including bridges with similar — but not identical structures.

There are 750 deck truss bridges across the nation.

NEPA bridge concerns

Four of the state’s 54 bridges with a design similar to the Minneapolis bridge are located in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

In Carbon County:

¦ A 1,539-foot bridge over U.S. Route 209, which is owned by PennDOT and considered to be structurally deficient.

¦ A 928-foot Pennsylvania Turnpike bridge in the Poconos which is owned by the state Turnpike Commission and considered to be structurally deficient.

¦ A 738-foot Pennsylvania Turnpike bridge near Mud Run which is owned by the state Turnpike Commission and considered to be structurally deficient.

In Pike County:

¦ A 1,289-foot bridge on U.S. Route 206 over the Delaware River, which is owned by the Delaware Bridge Commission and is not considered to be structurally deficient.

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I think this a good idea after the tragedy that happened in Minnesota this week. These infrastructures should be constantly observed and monitored.

[susquehannock]

Deficient major bridges in Pennsylvania - Bridge Collapse - MSNBC.com

[SteelCityRising]

Well, WHOOPDEY DOO!!! My daily commute takes me along Highway 315 under the "structurally obsolete" I-81 bridge near the Quality Inns. I dread going beneath that rusted-out underpass during rush-hour and am always holding my breath that it doesn't collapse onto my vehicle, crushing me instantly in the process. This state needs a complete overhaul of its infrastructure before we become Minneapolis Part II.

[karen_s]

I live only 10 mins from the "incredibly sinking" Route 33 bridge. It was closed due to a sinkhole once, and the new bridge they built is shifting too.

Thanks for posting that link.