# 'A bridge collapses, and a vital port expires' **URL:** \ **Category:** Safety\ **Created:** [March 27, 2024, 4:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619 "2024-03-27T04:18:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/21 "2024-03-28T23:34:19Z")
Waiting to see if they have implemented the incident command system for the operations. This puts one person in charge to coordinate all of the operations. So far it sound like they have three or four salvage operations for the various parts but not sure who is in charge to call the shots. Without this structure, which is used for all major emergencies, it could cause delays and a general cluster you know what. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/22 "2024-03-29T01:30:06Z")
> [@bing](#): > > not sure who is in charge to call the shots You aren’t sure and you don’t really need to know. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 2:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/23 "2024-03-29T02:46:42Z")
> [@bing](#): > > If you get the political hacks out of the way there is no reason it has to take years for a new bridge. Bridge over water is considerably more complicated than a highway bridge. This is a long span bridge. It could easily take several years. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 2:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/24 "2024-03-29T02:55:56Z")
The I 35 bridge was over water. But the process was expedited including removing the rubble. The bridge though is simply a traffic issue. The big problem is opening the channel again to ship traffic. Barge traffic was the only river traffic problem in minnesota. Some of us are still concerned how our federal dollars are spent as well as the economic issues that affect far more than one state. Sooner the better. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 1:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/25 "2024-03-29T13:13:38Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > However I see no rails being laid in these parts yet. Big projects outlast political terms. The next people in office kill the prior people’s projects and start the blame game. The worst scenario for taxpayers is if they buy all the land, start laying tracks and the project gets killed. Wasted money. No sense starting something until there is a long term commitment or a smaller subset of the overall project can be completed in a timely fashion before the prevailing winds change direction… ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 3:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/26 "2024-03-29T15:47:30Z")
I see no lack of energy to get this bridge rebuilt, but I’m passively watching from 3000 miles away and really, it’s only curiosity on my part. We have had several major bridge and highway challenges since we moved to the Bay Area in 1995, and they have been met and resolved quite well, in spite of our famous ability to argue about everything. So, let’s be real about this. Shouting about how incompetent government is, is just complete nonsense. None of us has any idea what’s actually going on, except for what the trash on the internet tells us, which is about as reliable as a junior high school rumor mill. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/27 "2024-03-29T16:32:15Z")
> [@wentwest](#): > > None of us has any idea what’s actually going on, except for what the trash on the internet tells us, which is about as reliable as a junior high school rumor mill. … and the conspiracy theories that immediately began to circulate are so bizarre that they defy belief: > **[Unfounded conspiracy theories spread online after Baltimore bridge collapse](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/francis-scott-key-bridge-collapse-conspiracy-theories-online-rcna145105)** > > Major news events — like the pandemic, natural disasters and mass shootings — now consistently serve as fodder for fringe figures. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/28 "2024-03-29T23:31:44Z")
It seems that they don’t defy belief among some in our population. That’s what really is hard to accept. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 11:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/29 "2024-03-29T23:44:07Z")
Watch some videos on Geordie howe bridge. They like to spend money. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 12:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/30 "2024-03-30T00:57:26Z")
Seems a little Far fetched but let’s wait until the power loss is determined and the loss of video and audio for the critical time period. It’s interesting though that another engineer reported the state was considering upgrading the dolphins to modern standard but didn’t want to spend the $64 million for the project. Let’s just call a spade a spade but sounds like California is also looking for federal money for the same thing. A case can be made for federal or state money or both for infrastructure hardening projects and simply points out what damage could be done by our enemies. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/31 "2024-03-30T14:57:42Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > and the conspiracy theories that immediately began to circulate are so bizarre that they defy belief: And unfortunately there are enough people who lack the education and critical thinking skills to believe every word of them. Have you ever listened to a flat-earther? OMG those people are thee dumbest people. And right along with them are the Alex Jones followers. And let’s not forget the election deniers. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/32 "2024-03-30T15:09:55Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > And right along with them are the Alex Jones followers. And let’s not forget the election deniers. Let’s not forget that Alex Jones–who stated that the ship/bridge accident was “the start of WW III”–makes a lot of money by selling food and other supplies to “preppers” who believe that _The end is near_. His lies are ultimately self-serving. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/33 "2024-03-30T16:56:22Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > Have you ever listened to a flat-earther? OMG those people are thee dumbest people. ![IMG_1714](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/f/b/fbfa9bd3b37fbdef73dd5e829a30a1ea1a10e719.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/34 "2024-03-30T19:25:19Z")
One thing about NBC though is they will never miss an opportunity to bash their enemies. I’m willing to believe in crew incompetence, poorly maintained equipment, and fateful perfect timing, until there is evidence to the contrary. One glaring reality though is that Maryland decided not to update the pier protection for an estimated 64 million that would have prevented the damage. Seems like a no brainer for a major shipping channel and a through truss bridge that now might cost two billion. Like usual there are many areas to investigate and lost opportunities to prevent the disaster and legitimate stories to be written. The law suits will go on for years to determine negligence. But a channel so narrow between piers, the currents, tides, a bridge too low for high tides, like a camel through the eye of a needle as they say. Seems like preventive measures should have been rated a little higher. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/35 "2024-03-30T19:48:58Z")
One point worth covering here. The New York Times published a transcript of the radio conversations from the Maryland Transportation Police Channel. It seems like they did very well. No BS, no hesitation, everyone got on it fast and shut both ends of the bridge down ASAP. The work crew in the middle got trapped but everything else was covered. Fortunately it was 1:30 am, light traffic. > **[Radio Chatter Reveals How Officers Quickly Closed Bridge to Traffic](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/27/us/baltimore-key-bridge-mayday-call-radio.html?ugrp=u&unlocked_article_code=1.gk0.0GWB.wJE9gGa9zE6i&smid=url-share)** > > Officers immediately moved to keep cars off a bridge in Baltimore after a mayday from the ship that hit it, according to audio from a Maryland Transportation Authority Police channel. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/36 "2024-03-30T19:58:21Z")
Concur, the new reports suggest the folks involved did a very good job sticking to their public safety plan. Whoever was involved in creating the safety plan and getting everyone involved onboard and properly equipped so that it worked when needed should be congratulated. It’s worthwhile to review all aspects of this disaster. But we have to remember that there’s always going to be a limited pot of money available for infrastructure improvements. If more had been spent on this bridge (by installing a guard-rail around the two piers for example), that would have taken money from the other candidates. Which might have resulted in an even worst disaster. The folks spending the infrastructure improvement money have to choose from among all the candidates, and choose based on which will produce the most bang for the buck. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/37 "2024-03-30T20:11:11Z")
It was interesting reading a recent update on the Tampa sky line bridge collapse. Seems like one guy on the bridge saw the missing portion, backed his car up and frantically waved his arms to stop traffic. Several cars went around him and that greyhound bus filled with kids. All dead. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/38 "2024-03-30T20:19:42Z")
Too bad the 2 main piers will probably need to be rebuilt. It would really speed up new bridge if they put an exact copy back as much is done. Like the approaches. Too bad. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/39 "2024-03-30T20:25:15Z")
Sorry but it would be a very bad idea to duplicate that through truss design with the same problems. One piece goes and the whole bridge comes down. A modern suspension design would provide more redundancy and allow a higher bridge so that ships did not have to plan around low tide. ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 3:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619/40 "2024-03-31T03:47:56Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > we have to remember that there’s always going to be a limited pot of money available for infrastructure improvements. If more had been spent on this bridge (by installing a guard-rail around the two piers for example), that would have taken money from the other candidates. Which might have resulted in an even worst disaster. That’s the wrong way to think about it, though it may be the way things get done. The right way is to calculate the cost and, if it’s cost-efficient, do it. In every state other than California, boards of taxing entities (cities, counties, school districts, water districts, etc.) make a budget (always approved by an elected board) then the treasurer divides that budget by the total value of all taxable property to get a property tax rate. You spend money on your house to avoid more-expensive future damage. > [@bing](#): > > one guy on the bridge saw the missing portion, backed his car up and frantically waved his arms to stop traffic. The usual guy waving his arms on the road is a crazy guy. > [@Cavell](#): > > It would really speed up new bridge if they put an exact copy back as much is done. It was designed 50 years ago. We make bridges better now. Speaking of bridge disasters, remember Tacoma Narrows? [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-bridge-collapses-and-a-vital-port-expires/194619.md?page=3)