Bridges are not the kind of constructions that one can simply ignore after building, as they need constant attention and minor repairs to be kept safe through their active lifespan. Yet not even these, and periodic checks are enough to accurately determine whether a bridge is safe or not.
Take the Leo Frigo bridge in Wisconsin. It was completed in 1980 and it takes Interstate 43 over the Fox River, or it used to, rather, as it’s no longer passable. That’s because, in spite of having been inspected and deemed okay in August of 2012, one of its pillars sank about two feet, thus creating a proportional sag/dip in the driven surface above.
One of the first to call 911 to report the emergency was a truck driver who reported being launched into the air and possibly damaging his rig upon passing said dip.
Apparently, the sinking took place in a matter of hours, and it does not affect the bridge’s stability in any critical way – it won’t crumble like the one in the Minneapolis 2007 incident. At least this time, it will be shut down before the next steps are taken, and even if it does collapse, at least there won’t be anybody on it…
It is expected to be closed anywhere from a few months to a year or even more because an investigation needs to be carried out first, and those do not get completed quickly.
Governor Walker told reporters that whatever the cost, repairs will happen. “Once we know the full details of what’s required to fix this bridge, we will fix this bridge,” Walker said, “because it’s not only important to Brown County, it’s also important to the State of Wisconsin.”
The bridge serves around 40,000 vehicles per day.
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: greenbaypressgazette & wbay
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