The Minneapolis thing is terrifying and heartbreaking.
As for the I-280 I haven't driven over it yet, but I've heard a lot of reports about how low the sides seem.
posted by OhioKat at 09:39 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 01, 2007 #
The Minneapolis thing is terrifying and heartbreaking.
I agree.
The thing that really terrifies me when I think about being in a disaster like that would be if I had my kids with me. Its one thing to have to worry about rescuing myself and/or trying to make it to the surface (assuming that I was conscious, of course). But the thought of being alone in a sinking car with my 2 toddlers and trying to figure out how to rescue them...
(I'll leave it at that b/c I can't even put into words the feeling in the pit of my stomach when I try to picture that situation...)
posted by mom2 at 09:55 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 01, 2007 #
I, too, am afraid of drowning. Therefore, I hate bridges.
I have had to overcome that fear because my son is going to high school "over the new bridge".
I thought I conquered my fear, until tonights grim story. :(
posted by aperson at 10:01 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 01, 2007 #
If the new I-280 bridge collapses while you're on it, I don't think drowning will be something you'll have to worry about. Drowning may be an issue if the MLK/Cherry St bridge collapses while you're enjoying a latte at the cafe.
posted by jr at 10:15 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 01, 2007 #
I drove over that bridge about a week and a half ago with my wife and two little boys on my way back from visiting my brother in Minnesota. My other brother was on his way up there this afternoon to visit, thank god he didn't leave here until about 1 PM. He would have passed over that bridge had he left earlier in the morning.
posted by Ace_Face at 11:38 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 01, 2007 #
I just drove over the 280 bridge for the first time tonight, and was reminded that I, too, hate driving over bridges. I guess the sides seemed low, to answer OhioKat, but I can't say for sure because I needed to look dead straight ahead and not glance at the sides, lest I freak out!
posted by jmleong at 12:46 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
I don't like that new bridge either. i think the heights get me more than anything.
I hope they don't find more bodies underneath all the cement segments during clean-up. So tragic.
posted by incrediblehelp at 02:29 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
You do not have to worry at all about drowning if the bridge collapses or if you drive over the edge. I am very sure that the fall would kill you, so drowning is not something you need to worry about. Hope this makes you feel better.
posted by ilovetoledo at 07:04 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
My wife, too, had -- and still has -- concerns about driving over the I-280 bridge. And, esp. now, I don't blame her (though granted, how often do you hear of bridges collasping?).
I've been over the new one once (back and forth to Oregon) and was concerned over the angle of the far right lanes. There seems to be a pretty good slant!
Anyway, it doesn't bother me as much -- I figure the odds are with me that I very likely won't be on it IF it would have structural problems.
Still, can you imagine the fear that went through those people's minds -- esp. the kids on the school bus? I can't even begin to imagine what that must've felt like. Prayers are definitely with all families involved.
-- Mike
posted by miked918 at 07:12 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
This really highlights the importance of bridges.
The I-35W bridge is the busiest in MN. Now all traffic in the twin cities will be affected.
Toledo is actually pretty good on bridges but there are many cities that have only one or two main bridges and when traffic on them is disrupted it affects the whole area.
I know when I lived in VA this was the source of all of the Metro DC traffic problems. There is only a few bridges to cross from VA into Maryland and since many live in VA but work in MD (and vice versa) this causes huge congestion problems.
Here in NW Ohio we've experienced quite a few bridge disruptions and it hasn't affected the cities traffic as a whole. Only the immediate commuters who use those bridges.
posted by MikeyA at 09:47 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
(though granted, how often do you hear of bridges collasping?).
Well, not bridges specifically, but you do hear of road structural collapse often enough to make you think. It was only a few months ago that a section of an overpass-connector to the San Francisco Bay Bridge collapsed (and fell onto another freeway section) when a car accident caused a huge fire. Fortunately, it happened in the middle of the night if I remember correctly, and no one was killed. And how long ago was it that a woman was killed in Boston when their "Big Dig" tunnel suffered a minor structural collapse? Sometime last year?
This really highlights the importance of bridges.
The I-35W bridge is the busiest in MN. Now all traffic in the twin cities will be affected.
I visited the Covington-Cincinnati area in May and stayed right on the Ohio River. I remember being impressed by the fact that there seemed to be like four or five different bridges over the Ohio, joining the two cities, in only maybe a five-mile stretch. I could look out my hotel window and just count the bridges all lined up down the Ohio. I remember thinking, "Wow, that's convenient!" Especially because I used to live in the SF area and if one bridge over the Bay was out, you could have to go up to 40 minutes out of your way to cross another one.
posted by jmleong at 10:38 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
And when and where will the next bridge collapse? After all, our American infrastructure is all aging and crumbling. To make matters worse, there has been little oversight into infrastructure safety throughout the United States.
We Americans, following our inept politicians, are more worried about 'them' over there. Seems to me that collapsing bridges and exploding sewers in urban centers are just as terrorizing as 'them' of which we worry so greatly.
Billions each week in Iraq...and our bridges collapse one by one...
posted by Man_with_the_muck_rake at 10:49 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
I am traveling to Minneapolis tomorrow so I will feel the extent of the impact of this.
My wife spoke with her father who said the traffic is being routed to highway. However I am familiar with that highway as well. It would be the equivalent of the traffic on 75 in detroit being routed onto a road like Reynolds road.
This shows how ill planning can affect a large city.
Billions each week in Iraq...and our bridges collapse one by one... the assumption is that the money in Iraq would be spent on bridges. This is unlikely. After all they gave New Orleans money to replace the levee's and they used the money to build the Superdome.
If MN were given money one wonders where it would be spent especially since the Twins, Vikings, and U of Minn. all have lobbied for new stadiums and arenas in the past 4 years.
posted by MikeyA at 10:55 A.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
Actual security footage of the bridge collapsing........
http://www.kare11.com/video/player.aspx?aid=51365&sid=261171&bw=hi
(Insert slew of 4 letter words here)
When I saw it orginally on CNN, they were asking for actual footage last night.
posted by charlatan at 04:17 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
Bridge Collapse is fairly common in the USA. I heard a statistic today that said about 20 collapse per year. Not usually like the one in MN., but plenty none the less.
Take the Quake induced collapse in SF..killed and mamed a lot fo people. Just a couple of years back, a bridge collapsed in Wisconson too.
Anyone take a good look at the piers of the MLK bridge or the High Level? Old and not getting any younger. Nothing built is going to last forever. this is why there should a replacement plan in place that regularly replaces such infrastructue. You can only patch and duct tape so long before it's over.
The MLK bridge is a classic example of a bad idea getting worse every day.
posted by Chad at 04:20 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
What bothers me is the reports it's not terrorism when they have no idea what happened and haven't even begun to rescue people. Sure I hope it's not terrorism but every time some major event happens they (officials) claim it's not terrorism when they have no idea. I understand they want to keep people calm but it's still annoying.
posted by rickreed at 04:59 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
What bothers me is the reports it's not terrorism when they have no idea what happened and haven't even begun to rescue people. Sure I hope it's not terrorism but every time some major event happens they (officials) claim it's not terrorism when they have no idea. I understand they want to keep people calm but it's still annoying.
Good point rick.
I think a lot of this comes from trying to keep people calm but also because most terrorism in the form we think of it comes after heightened chatter. I think that's where they make their determination.
posted by MikeyA at 06:07 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
My heart and prayers go out to everyone in Minn.
When I think of fears of driving over the bridges in Toledo. I don't think much about driving over the new bridge only because I would think its more sound being new. I, however, often wonder about the I-75 bridge that crosses over the Maumee river (I think its called the DiSalle Bridge). I have seen sheets/chunks of cement missing from the road and underneath on the South Avenue side.
posted by ToledoLatina at 09:36 P.M. EST on Thu Aug 02, 2007 #
I have seen sheets/chunks of cement missing from the road and underneath on the South Avenue side. cement frequently cracks and falls off. It's not a huge deal and is easily repairable. It's when the rebar begins to fail that there is a significant danger.
posted by MikeyA at 07:29 A.M. EST on Fri Aug 03, 2007 #
Try not to worry about it too much.
One thing about life to remember....nobody gets out alive.
posted by JeepMaker at 11:26 A.M. EST on Sat Aug 04, 2007 #
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