Bridge collapse in PA: Would you vote for G.O.P. candidates? Even the tiny sliver of G.O.P. support for Manchin's "neutering Op"

[post]

... was not about infrastructure protection, rehabilitation, modernization, or expansion. It was about protecting billionaires from any new taxes.
The G.O.P. who voted for Manchin's watered down, bi-partisan billionaire wealth protection bill, now claim credit for its benefits to the areas they represent.

Opinion | In Praise of Smoke and Mirrors (Published 2021)

If we need creative accounting to invest for the future, go for it.

www.nytimes.com

August 5, 2021 - by Paul Krugman
"...Still, it’s a major political achievement, especially after the way “infrastructure week” became a running joke during the Trump era.

But how did the Senate get there? The politics were fairly obvious: Infrastructure spending is very popular, and a significant number of Republicans didn’t want to be seen as complete obstructionists. What wasn’t clear, however, was how the spending would be financed.

On the surface, Republican demands should have made agreement impossible. G.O.P. senators were adamantly opposed to tax increases. They also blocked proposals to give the I.R.S. resources to crack down on widespread tax evasion — a stance that even cynics like yours truly found a bit shocking. What kind of party more or less openly aligns itself with wealthy tax cheats?..."

Meanwhle, their years of solely representing the best interests of their wealthiest, RWE political donors are catching up to all of us!

A vote for G.O.P. is a purposeful vote to descend to third world infrastructure level....

Repair ticket has been on file with the responsible agency since 2018, but time and luck, "ran out" this A.M.





I guess the $$$ didn't get there on time to finance this service ticket that might have prevented today's collapse!

Republican billionaire Ken Langone donated to Joe Manchin's PAC after senator opposed Biden's Build Back Better Act

Republican megadonor Ken Langone donated to Sen. Joe Manchin's leadership committee after the lawmaker opposed Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan.

www.cnbc.com

January 27, 2022

GOP billionaire Ken Langone says he will hold a fundraiser for ...​

https://www.cnbc.com › 2021/11/10 › republican-billio...
Nov 10, 2021 — Republican billionaire Ken Langone says he will hold a fundraiser for Joe Manchin after the conservative Democrat opposed elements of Joe ...

 

[bomberfox]

It seems a miracle there were no deaths.

 

[Napoleon]

Repair ticket has been on file with the responsible agency since 2018, but time and luck, "ran out" this A.M.

Pittsburgh hasn’t had a Republican mayor since the 1930s. Why isn’t it the city’s responsibility to maintain its own infrastructure and what does it have to do with Biden’s Boondoggle?

 

[Ishm]

Biden was visiting to promote his infrastructure bill that same day. Dems obviously bombed the bridge to make Biden look good.

 

[Grand Mal]

... was not about infrastructure protection, rehabilitation, modernization, or expansion. It was about protecting billionaires from any new taxes.
The G.O.P. who voted for Manchin's watered down, bi-partisan billionaire wealth protection bill, now claim credit for its benefits to the areas they represent.

Opinion | In Praise of Smoke and Mirrors (Published 2021)

If we need creative accounting to invest for the future, go for it.

www.nytimes.com

August 5, 2021 - by Paul Krugman
"...Still, it’s a major political achievement, especially after the way “infrastructure week” became a running joke during the Trump era.

But how did the Senate get there? The politics were fairly obvious: Infrastructure spending is very popular, and a significant number of Republicans didn’t want to be seen as complete obstructionists. What wasn’t clear, however, was how the spending would be financed.

On the surface, Republican demands should have made agreement impossible. G.O.P. senators were adamantly opposed to tax increases. They also blocked proposals to give the I.R.S. resources to crack down on widespread tax evasion — a stance that even cynics like yours truly found a bit shocking. What kind of party more or less openly aligns itself with wealthy tax cheats?..."

Meanwhle, their years of solely representing the best interests of their wealthiest, RWE political donors are catching up to all of us!

A vote for G.O.P. is a purposeful vote to descend to third world infrastructure level....

Repair ticket has been on file with the responsible agency since 2018, but time and luck, "ran out" this A.M.

Good Lord! I was a structural Ironworker for nearly 30 years and I'm having trouble imagining how that could happen like that.
Other reports say it happened not long before Biden was due to come to Pittsburgh.

 

[Port & Starboard]

... was not about infrastructure protection, rehabilitation, modernization, or expansion. It was about protecting billionaires from any new taxes.
The G.O.P. who voted for Manchin's watered down, bi-partisan billionaire wealth protection bill, now claim credit for its benefits to the areas they represent.

Opinion | In Praise of Smoke and Mirrors (Published 2021)

If we need creative accounting to invest for the future, go for it.

www.nytimes.com

August 5, 2021 - by Paul Krugman
"...Still, it’s a major political achievement, especially after the way “infrastructure week” became a running joke during the Trump era.

But how did the Senate get there? The politics were fairly obvious: Infrastructure spending is very popular, and a significant number of Republicans didn’t want to be seen as complete obstructionists. What wasn’t clear, however, was how the spending would be financed.

On the surface, Republican demands should have made agreement impossible. G.O.P. senators were adamantly opposed to tax increases. They also blocked proposals to give the I.R.S. resources to crack down on widespread tax evasion — a stance that even cynics like yours truly found a bit shocking. What kind of party more or less openly aligns itself with wealthy tax cheats?..."

Meanwhle, their years of solely representing the best interests of their wealthiest, RWE political donors are catching up to all of us!

A vote for G.O.P. is a purposeful vote to descend to third world infrastructure level....

Repair ticket has been on file with the responsible agency since 2018, but time and luck, "ran out" this A.M.





I guess the $$$ didn't get there on time to finance this service ticket that might have prevented today's collapse!

Biden’s Non-Infrastructure Infrastructure Bill

Well, they’re at it again. Since the left can’t sell its ideas to the American public honestly, it’s changing the definitions of words yet again to get its agenda passed. This time, it’s the word “infrastructure,” as in President Joe Biden’s recent “infrastructure” bill. Mr. Biden used his...

www.heritage.org

 

[Manc Skipper]

Biden was visiting to promote his infrastructure bill that same day. Dems obviously bombed the bridge to make Biden look good.

I saw a pic of one of the support girders rotted out at the base. they must have sprayed it with acid last night!

A Bridge Collapsed In Pittsburgh Hours Before Biden Was Set To Arrive To Promote...Bridge Repairs

"It can't be overstated the president's visit to talk about infrastructure when we have this situation here," Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said.

www.buzzfeednews.com

 

[post]

McConnell's Brent Spence Bridge plan falls flat - The Business ...​

https://www.bizjournals.com › blog › 2014/06 › mccon...
Jun 20, 2014. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., proposed a plan to help pay for the construction of a new Brent Spence Bridge, but it looked more like an ...

Three months before the fire depicted below, Mitch's wife was still part of the problem,​

Sec. of Transportation gives update on Brent Spence Bridge ...​

https://www.fox19.com › 2020/09/29 › sec-transportation...
Elaine Chao said the DOT needs to see more before funding a new bridge for the region.
Sep 29, 2020

Hey Mitch, where's funding for the new Brent Spence bridge?​

https://www.kentucky.com › op-ed › article247263394
Nov 19, 2020 — A recent article by Mitch McConnell in the Herald-Leader posited that ... For those who have never driven across the Ohio River on I75's ...

1963 Kentucky, Ohio River bridge, not designed to be third busiest interstate hwy bridge in U.S. Extra lanes added, "on the cheap," no breakdown lane, trucks side by side, less than three feet apart,

Brent Spence Bridge - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Before and after: Fire and Brent Spence Bridge damage (VIDEO)

The bridge will remain closed until its safety can be guaranteed.

www.fox19.com

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says the Brent Spence Bridge will be closed for several days at least following a truck crash and fire early Wednesday morning.(WXIX)
By Kim Schupp
Updated: Nov. 11, 2020

After the fire, 14 months ago,

Beams replaced, repairs continue on fire-damaged Brent Spence Bridge in Cincinnati

The double-decker bridge that carries traffic on I-71/I-75 was damaged in a fiery crash on Nov. 11.

www.wdrb.com

Investigating the endless repairs for the Brent Spence Bridge​

https://local12.com › news › investigates › investigating...
Mar 25, 2021 — That includes a complete closure of the ramps from I-71 south onto the bridge in Ohio on Ft. Washington Way, as well as from downtown Covington ...

Bridge Collapse in Pittsburgh Injures at Least 10 People​

https://www.nytimes.com › video › pittsburgh-frick-park-...




0:32
Officials said no one was killed and that none of the injuries were life-threatening. The collapse occurred just ...
The New York Times · 2 hours ago

 

[Port & Starboard]

I saw a pic of one of the support girders rotted out at the base. they must have sprayed it with acid last night!

A Bridge Collapsed In Pittsburgh Hours Before Biden Was Set To Arrive To Promote...Bridge Repairs

"It can't be overstated the president's visit to talk about infrastructure when we have this situation here," Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said.

www.buzzfeednews.com

The state is responsible for checking those bridges.

But but but........Republicans bad

 

[Manc Skipper]

The state is responsible for checking those bridges.

But but but........Republicans bad

Where does the state get the money to repair if the inspection finds damage?

 

[post]

Biden’s Non-Infrastructure Infrastructure Bill

Well, they’re at it again. Since the left can’t sell its ideas to the American public honestly, it’s changing the definitions of words yet again to get its agenda passed. This time, it’s the word “infrastructure,” as in President Joe Biden’s recent “infrastructure” bill. Mr. Biden used his...

www.heritage.org

Uhhhh.... who funds Heritage? I thought it is funded by RWE billionaires to indoctrinate voters into supporting tax cuts benefiting almost
exclusively billionaires and protecting them against tax increases.... meanwhile, national debt and stock buy backs both increase....

Trump slams companies for using U.S. tax credit to buy back ...​

https://www.reuters.com › article › trump-slams-compa.
Mar 20, 2020 — “I never liked stock buybacks from their standpoint. When we did a big tax cut, and when they took the money and did buybacks, that's not ...

The Trump administration's 180 on stock buybacks - Axios​

https://www.axios.com › ... › Stock market
Mar 19, 2020 — What he's saying: Trump said he was "never happy" that companies were using cash to buy back stock. A number of companies hard hit by the halt ...

 

[Port & Starboard]

Where does the state get the money to repair if the inspection finds damage?

Road taxes, heavy use taxes, fuel taxes, state income taxes, and federal assistance.

The state could have used that pic and handed it to a local congressman and had the funds pretty quickly.

The state inspectors dropped the ball on this one I'm afraid. In fact, I'll bet that the investigation will point it out. If I am wrong, feel free to shove it in my face.

 

[Grand Mal]

Road taxes, heavy use taxes, fuel taxes, state income taxes, and federal assistance.

The state could have used that pic and handed it to a local congressman and had the funds pretty quickly.

The state inspectors dropped the ball on this one I'm afraid. In fact, I'll bet that the investigation will point it out. If I am wrong, feel free to shove it in my face.

Somebody sure dropped the ball. Several somebodies, that amount of decay took awhile to happen. In fact, it looks to me like those screw-adjusted rods (Dywidag rods? Almost looks like.) were a band-aid measure to reinforce that rotted out diagonal member.

 

[Grand Mal]

I saw a pic of one of the support girders rotted out at the base. they must have sprayed it with acid last night!

A Bridge Collapsed In Pittsburgh Hours Before Biden Was Set To Arrive To Promote...Bridge Repairs

"It can't be overstated the president's visit to talk about infrastructure when we have this situation here," Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said.

www.buzzfeednews.com

That didn't happen overnight, that bridge has been rotting out for awhile. In fact those rods look like a band-aid plastered on to reinforce that rusted-out diagonal member.

 

[post]

Somebody sure dropped the ball. Several somebodies, that amount of decay took awhile to happen. In fact, it looks to me like those screw-adjusted rods (Dywidag rods? Almost looks like.) were a band-aid measure to reinforce that rotted out diagonal member.

You'd think, in nearly 39 years.... long enough between a civil engineer graduating college, entering into practice.... working an entire
career, and retiring about now, the rather small community of knowledgeable professionals in and out of government would have learned
that factors come together to ALL ADD UP, and reacted accordingly in the intent of prevention.

The root of this historic, catastrophic failure was lack of funding, in addition to design, maintenance, complete awareness of corrosive road salting consequences...

One of the wealthiest states in the U.S. charged and received highway toll revenue by positioning $0.35 (for 2 axle vehicles) toll
plazas on the I-95 route of the collapsed bridge, but could not appropriate the funds for purchase and maintenance of an adequate number
of "Snooper" bridge inspection trucks...

MIANUS BRIDGE COLLAPSE SCRUTUINZED AT HEARINGS​

https://www.nytimes.com ›
Sep 23, 1983 — "Tnspectors testified that they had checked the bridge in September 1982 using ladders and binoculars. . A truck with a platform that allows inspectors to reach inaccessible spots, known as a snooper, was out of service for 11 months. The inspectors ...
Engineers offered conflicting testimony about the possible causes of the collapse. The bridge is supported by girders attached to the roadway by steel rods and steel pins. Over the river, each span of the bridge was held up by only four girders, one at each corner. Inspectors have agreed that the bridge collapsed because one of the pins fell out.

..This Vulnerable Design'

''It is mind-boggling to me,'' said Dr. Robert W. Gubala, chief transporation engineer of the State Department of Transportation, ''that over this river channel, on the highest point of the bridge, this vulnerable design was used when on other parts of the bridge it was not used.''
Leonard Gersten, chief engineer of ..company that designed the bridge in the 1950's, said the bridge met safety standards at the time. Inadequate maintenance and inspections, he said, let rust from rainwater and de- icing salts build up until the pin corroded. The state has separate bridge safety and maintenance inspectors who have not been required to confer with each other...."

2007, FYI :

Bridge inspections under the lens

Every day an average of 30,000 drivers cross the 1,594-foot North Star Bridge over the Minnesota River and don’t need to worry about whether the bridge’s 19 huge blocks of

www.mankatofreepress.com

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD​

https://ctdigitalarchive.org ›
"There is no indication in any of the Mianus River Bridge inspection reports (which date back to January 23, 1962) that a snooper truck was ever..."

INSPECTOR FACES FORGERY CHARGE IN I-95 COLLAPSE (Published 1983)

www.nytimes.com

September 10, 1983
"The prosecutor said that on the morning of Aug. 5, before meeting with his superiors, Mr. White made about 20 additions to his original notes, copied them and presented them to the department officials.

Mr. McGuigan said Mr. White later acknowledged that he had gone home that afternoon and burned the original notes. Notes Cited Bridge's Condition

The notes were an itemized listing of the condition of various parts of the bridge, such as piers, beams and joints. Mr. McGuigan said Mr. White had added notations, such as ''laminated rust,'' ''vertical cracks'' and ''needs snooper.'' A snooper is a movable platform mounted on a truck that inspectors use to take a closer look at the underside of a bridge...."

• TAKING A HARD LOOK AT BRIDGES, ROADS AND BUILDINGS​

  https://www.nytimes.com ›
  Sep 25, 1983 — A 100-foot section of the Mianus River bridge
• 
  

  ​

 

[Grand Mal]

You'd think, in nearly 39 years.... long enough between a civil engineer graduating college, entering into practice.... working an entire
career, and retiring about now, the rather small community of knowledgeable professionals in and out of government would have learned
that factors come together to ALL ADD UP, and reacted accordingly in the intent of prevention.

The root of this historic, catastrophic failure was lack of funding, in addition to design, maintenance, complete awareness of corrosive road salting consequences...

One of the wealthiest states in the U.S. charged and received highway toll revenue by positioning $0.35 (for 2 axle vehicles) toll
plazas on the I-95 route of the collapsed bridge, but could not appropriate the funds for purchase and maintenance of an adequate number
of "Snooper" bridge inspection trucks...

MIANUS BRIDGE COLLAPSE SCRUTUINZED AT HEARINGS​

https://www.nytimes.com ›
Sep 23, 1983 — "Tnspectors testified that they had checked the bridge in September 1982 using ladders and binoculars. . A truck with a platform that allows inspectors to reach inaccessible spots, known as a snooper, was out of service for 11 months. The inspectors ...
Engineers offered conflicting testimony about the possible causes of the collapse. The bridge is supported by girders attached to the roadway by steel rods and steel pins. Over the river, each span of the bridge was held up by only four girders, one at each corner. Inspectors have agreed that the bridge collapsed because one of the pins fell out.

..This Vulnerable Design'

''It is mind-boggling to me,'' said Dr. Robert W. Gubala, chief transporation engineer of the State Department of Transportation, ''that over this river channel, on the highest point of the bridge, this vulnerable design was used when on other parts of the bridge it was not used.''
Leonard Gersten, chief engineer of ..company that designed the bridge in the 1950's, said the bridge met safety standards at the time. Inadequate maintenance and inspections, he said, let rust from rainwater and de- icing salts build up until the pin corroded. The state has separate bridge safety and maintenance inspectors who have not been required to confer with each other...."

2007, FYI :

Bridge inspections under the lens

Every day an average of 30,000 drivers cross the 1,594-foot North Star Bridge over the Minnesota River and don’t need to worry about whether the bridge’s 19 huge blocks of

www.mankatofreepress.com

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD​

https://ctdigitalarchive.org ›
"There is no indication in any of the Mianus River Bridge inspection reports (which date back to January 23, 1962) that a snooper truck was ever..."

INSPECTOR FACES FORGERY CHARGE IN I-95 COLLAPSE (Published 1983)

www.nytimes.com

September 10, 1983
"The prosecutor said that on the morning of Aug. 5, before meeting with his superiors, Mr. White made about 20 additions to his original notes, copied them and presented them to the department officials.

Mr. McGuigan said Mr. White later acknowledged that he had gone home that afternoon and burned the original notes. Notes Cited Bridge's Condition

The notes were an itemized listing of the condition of various parts of the bridge, such as piers, beams and joints. Mr. McGuigan said Mr. White had added notations, such as ''laminated rust,'' ''vertical cracks'' and ''needs snooper.'' A snooper is a movable platform mounted on a truck that inspectors use to take a closer look at the underside of a bridge...."

• TAKING A HARD LOOK AT BRIDGES, ROADS AND BUILDINGS​

  https://www.nytimes.com ›
  Sep 25, 1983 — A 100-foot section of the Mianus River bridge
• 
  

  ​

A snooper. Interesting device. Looks like the right tool for the job alright. I've never seen one before- if I was in the basket when it swung over the side I might wish I was seeing outriggers on the truck, but no doubt It's perfectly safe.

 

[Helix]

It's scary stuff. There are probably a lot of bridges out there that are susceptible to structural failure. They weren't designed to last forever with minimal maintenance.

 

[Rexedgar]

A snooper. Interesting device. Looks like the right tool for the job alright. I've never seen one before- if I was in the basket when it swung over the side I might wish I was seeing outriggers on the truck, but no doubt It's perfectly safe.

There is a new bridge going up from southern Maryland to Virginia, new Harry Nice Bridge. Last decade had the new Wilson Bridge from northern VA to MD. I often wonder how the specialized equipment is allocated. Is it leased or owned and how is the payment schedule set up?

 

[Grand Mal]

It's scary stuff. There are probably a lot of bridges out there that are susceptible to structural failure. They weren't designed to last forever with minimal maintenance.

Part of the problem is so few politicians have the guts to campaign on raising taxes and spending money.

 

[Grand Mal]

There is a new bridge going up from southern Maryland to Virginia, new Harry Nice Bridge. Last decade had the new Wilson Bridge from northern VA to MD. I often wonder how the specialized equipment is allocated. Is it leased or owned and how is the payment schedule set up?

My guess- it depends on which contractor is doing the work. American Bridge would already own everything they might need, probably, but Bullpasture Steel Erectors might have to rent stuff if they successfully bid on a bigger job than they normally do. High-capacity cranes with very long booms are too expensive to have one or two sitting idle for too long between jobs.

 

[Rexedgar]

My guess- it depends on which contractor is doing the work. American Bridge would already own everything they might need, probably, but Bullpasture Steel Erectors might have to rent stuff if they successfully bid on a bigger job than they normally do. High-capacity cranes with very long booms are too expensive to have one or two sitting idle for too long between jobs.

The down time is what I cannot figure, unless these projects are scheduled way in advance.

 

[Tender Branson]

I would not vote for the Republicans, ever. Bridge collapsing, or not.

The Republican Party is a Party of and for the past. Better said, of and back to the Middle Ages.

 

[Rexedgar]

My guess- it depends on which contractor is doing the work. American Bridge would already own everything they might need, probably, but Bullpasture Steel Erectors might have to rent stuff if they successfully bid on a bigger job than they normally do. High-capacity cranes with very long booms are too expensive to have one or two sitting idle for too long between jobs.

On a tangent; me and the missus have traveled to western Europe about twice a year up until travel became too much of a hassle. There were always construction cranes in the vistas of most cities we visited. I was always impressed at the small footprint of there towering cranes. I would like to have witnessed the assembly of these units. The base is very small and the weights that hold the unit down have to have special equipment to handle them.

 

[Grand Mal]

The down time is what I cannot figure, unless these projects are scheduled way in advance.

Might be part of the reason a 350-ton Manitowoc crane costs so much to rent- You're also paying the cost of the three months it sat idle before you rented it.

 

[Grand Mal]

On a tangent; me and the missus have traveled to western Europe about twice a year up until travel became too much of a hassle. There were always construction cranes in the vistas of most cities we visited. I was always impressed at the small footprint of there towering cranes. I would like to have witnessed the assembly of these units. The base is very small and the weights that hold the unit down have to have special equipment to handle them.

Some of them solve that whole building-downtown-with-little-space problem very ingeniously. I remember working with one- I think the brand name was Kangaroo- that had It's counterweight on rails so as the boom went down and the load went further from the crane the counterweight moved up and back, away from the rig, to compensate. It needed less space than the usual hammer-head crane you see downtown.