I-10 Bridge deemed safe by DOTD Secretar

[bcc]

DOT says 50 yr old bridge safe.


www.kplctv.com/global/story.asp?s=9637513

[bcc]

How old is the closed protion of the skyway?

[havetofish]

"The piers rose up from the remains of the old original Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The old 15-mile single span connecting St. Petersburg to Bradenton was built in 1954. Lengthy causeways on both sides led to a steep cantilever-truss crossing above the Tampa Bay ship channel. Vertical clearance for the channel was approximately 150 feet above the water and approximately 750 feet in width. Increasing traffic across the two-lane bridge spurred construction of a second parallel span which was completed in 1971, giving the bridges two lanes in each direction. "

But, it obviously was not maintained properly after the collapse in 1980 or this would not have become an issue.

[filletnrelease]

Jul 13, 2009 12:41:11 GMT -5 havetofish said:

"

But, it obviously was not maintained properly after the collapse in 1980 or this would not have become an issue.

That's been an argument I have had since the beginning John. If the bridge did not undergo vehicular traffic since the collapse, how could it be in as bad of shape as they say. I think you hit the nail on the head here. It was not maintained, so where did the money go that was slated for repairs/maintenance. My guess is, we will never know.

[bcc]

I guess the I-10 bridge that this article is refering to being over 50 yrs old must have been much better maintained.

[filletnrelease]

Jul 13, 2009 12:59:13 GMT -5 bcc said:

I guess the I-10 bridge that this article is refering to being over 50 yrs old must have been much better maintained.

AND, not being used as a fishing pier. Sorry, I'm still bitter. Sometimes out of necessity officials will bend rules. Obviously that bridge must be needed and like you said may have been better maintained throughout it's life span.

[havetofish]

Therefore the 1971 span with the typical 50 year life span, if properly maintained should last til 2021. We all know that they have not done the maintenance on the West Pier either. Anyone notice how long the potholes have been on the west pier. Somehwere around the 130's piling numbers, if I remember right. If they won't even patch that, and its getting worse, then they'll wind up closing the pier past the 130's I guess.

And your right about Pier associates ( Bait Shop ). How long can they go with revenue losses with decreased traffic. As far as I know, the admission fee increase goes to the State. I could be wrong

[bill jacques]

On the State parks website is shows the increase for the pier, along with the other parks that had increases

[ripnlips]

it's not just the lack of maintenance that causes a bridge to become unsafe over time, it's also who manufactured (built) the bridge. like fishing gear, it DOES matter who made it. poor quality control from the manufacture is not uncommon in concrete superstructures. after all, they are built by the lowest bidder.

i have been in the precast business for a long time and i know how some bridge beam companies cut corners to save money in manufacturing and still be in compliance with the fdot road and bridge construction guidelines.

[fishwander]

If maintenance issues close the bridge to automobile traffic, how about allowing parking at the foot of the bridge and allowing pedestrian traffic to fish.

Pier fishermen and people who want deep water access are , and have been ignored. We seem to be losing more, and more water / fishing access while taxes and fees and usage fees increase .

It just rots my socks !

Fishwander

[eaglesfanguy]