(
3D Satellite)
I don't think this is an April Fools Day joke.
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safe_image for RoadsBridges Apr 2, 2019
Crews are continuing to work on emergency repairs today after a large chunk of concrete railing fell off an I-75 North bridge onto the I-24 westbound ramp below in Chattanooga, Tenn., late Monday morning, injuring one person. |
The above RoadsBridges link was broke, but a Google search found stuff.
The person in that car was first reported to have just minor injuries. But a day later the injuries were reported as critical. The car plowed into the fallen debris. [
TimesFreePress]
The bridge was inspected in the middle of last year and its overall condition rating found to be fair, TDOT records show.
"It had normal problems that an older bridge would have, but there was nothing structurally wrong with it," TDOT regional bridge manager Steve Hutchings said. "There was no reason for us to suspect anything like this would happen. Everything was in good condition."
The result is considered a positive report, Hutchings said, as most bridges in the area rate as fair-to-good.
[Various articles had this quote.]
The probable cause is that an illegally high load on the I-24 westbound ramp hit the side of the bridge and severed five of the 23 3/8" steel reinforcing cables.
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TimesFreePress-cause, Photo from TDOT
The strands weren't rusted and nuts on the bridge were in good shape, also leading officials to believe the strands were hit by an oversized vehicle. Officials are not legally allowed to use the traffic cameras aimed at the roadway for investigative purposes and the video is not recorded. So there is no video evidence, or eyewitness account, to confirm the theory. The standard minimum height for a bridge in Tennessee is 16 feet and 6 inches. The lowest point of the I-75 bridge is 16 feet, 10 inches.
The bridge is going to be replaced during the next 18 months as part of a I-24/I-75 merger reconstruction. |
The street view is recent enough to show the new beam and railing.
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