I-40 bridge at Memphis closed

[rjrelander]

The I-35 bridge in Minneapolis dropped into the river August 1, 2007 and the new bridge opened in September 18, 2008 so they got that one done in a little more than a year. I still get nervous going over the new bridge considering how fast they replaced it though. As far as I-40 bridge closing, I would be more concerned with the extra load on the I-55 bridge if they are diverting all the traffic.

[jasin1]

They closed the River to barge traffic as well indefinitely ..said it’s going to impact the supply chain.. wonder if fuel is moved by barges on this waterway..coast guard shut down waterway as of Thursday morning... 44 vessels and 700 barges waiting to go in either direction.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Even the river traffic has been halted! The old bridge (I-55) is carrying the load right now. It'll probably take more than a few pop-rivets to repair.
Our numb-nutted news reporter this AM reported that it would take a year to replace the bridge.
Lord have mercy, just the environmental studies, court battles with the Indians up and down-stream, snail darter protectors, catfish guardians, barge operators and the like would take five years. I don't know where they get their information.
This I-40 bridge took four complete years from footings to finishes.

They don't have a clue what they're saying. Just babbling on. No filter...brain to mouth disease.
Now the national network folks? Very intentional.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by jasin1

“Tis but a scratch”

That'll buff out!

[RickV]

Crossed over the I-55 bridge westbound yesterday while there was traffic it was moving pretty good. I got off at the first exit after crossing it is about 2 miles eastbound traffic was backed up past there as far as the eye could see.

[jasin1]

https://www.foxnews.com/us/hernando-...-crack-in-span

Saw this a little while ago

[markcee]

Originally Posted by jasin1

https://www.foxnews.com/us/hernando-...-crack-in-span

Saw this a little while ago

Confused why drone footage is only reviewed 1 and 2 years later, after an issue is found. If drone video existed as part of the inspection records in '19 and '20, why wasn't it reviewed then?

You would think that technology exists that would allow the footage to be electronically reviewed in realtime when it was taken, with any issues detected being flagged. This, in conjunction with a physical inspection by a human, would seem to be the way to go.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by jasin1

https://www.foxnews.com/us/hernando-...-crack-in-span

Saw this a little while ago

If I read the story correctly the video footage link in the story is from the 2019 inspection of the bridge. If that is correct, he should be fired as he would have to be blind to not see the crack (in the video it is still a crack, not a fracture) in the beam. If that video is from 2019, it is likely that beam has been fractured for a while!

[JRTJH]

Well, let's do a little "analysis of the situation" before "jumping to conclusions".... (AKA "starting rumors")...

First, the article said he had worked for the inspection division for about 15 years... Isn't that about the time all the "levy inspections in New Orleans" were fired for failing to identify the problems with the levies just after Katrina flooded the city ????

I wonder if he is one of those "displaced inspectors" who left New Orleans 15 years ago and found a new job in Arkansas/Tennessee inspecting bridges ????

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Well, let's do a little "analysis of the situation" before "jumping to conclusions".... (AKA "starting rumors")...

First, the article said he had worked for the inspection division for about 15 years... Isn't that about the time all the "levy inspections in New Orleans" were fired for failing to identify the problems with the levies just after Katrina flooded the city ????

I wonder if he is one of those "displaced inspectors" who left New Orleans 15 years ago and found a new job in Arkansas/Tennessee inspecting bridges ????

Wonder how many other inspectors are crawling around bridges in the middle of the night trying to cover their butts after this. Complacency is often dept wide or at least somewhat mirrored

[sourdough]

I believe it said the video was made by contractors inspecting the "cabling" on the bridge and not the bridge itself. Probably why it too DOT so long to find it...then go back and investigate the deadbeat that didn't report it. Me? Even if I was just "inspecting cables" and my drone was showing a huge crack in the bridge under my feet.....color me gone!!

[notanlines]

I'll say this for the state of Arkansas: They fired more people then the city of New Orleans fired for pushing COE funds to projects other than levies. That whole situation had guilty parties enough to fill Angola State Prison. We could only wish...

[notanlines]

This is probably the best site to get bridge info without a massive number of ads. Remember, I didn't say no ads.
https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/

[B-O-B'03]

Originally Posted by markcee

Confused why drone footage is only reviewed 1 and 2 years later, after an issue is found. If drone video existed as part of the inspection records in '19 and '20, why wasn't it reviewed then?

You would think that technology exists that would allow the footage to be electronically reviewed in realtime when it was taken, with any issues detected being flagged. This, in conjunction with a physical inspection by a human, would seem to be the way to go.

From what I read, the guys were contractors and inspecting that cable.

Looks like the crack was much smaller in 2019, too bad no one noticed and started repairs then.

-Brian

[jasin1]

If you look at the crack and the drone footage it’s right where a suspension cable is.. I wonder if they replaced or adjusted that cable sometime in the past and got the tension specs wrong..looks like the beam couldn’t support the weight on its own and the cable has some newer looking tape or wrap around it ..but I’m just guessing

[wiredgeorge]

I have the answer! Too bad the recent zillion dollar infrastructure spending didn't include highways, bridges, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOZi8H0YMiA

[JRTJH]

The "repair team" is on the way, they just passed by us a few minutes ago...

[flybouy]

HA,HA! "Mechanic in a Can" (WD-40) and "Duck Tape", that'll fix anything that a BFH won't.

[notanlines]

"MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Phase one of the repair to the I-40 Bridge could be completed by next week, according to TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright.

Phase 1 involves placing 35-foot-long steel plates, which will come from Stupp Bridge Company out of Bowling Green, Kentucky, on both sides of the fractured support beam on the I-40 bridge."

Just a little update for future travelers.

[RickV]

Did the tourist thing today and did the Memphis Riverboat Tour. Near the end they took us underneath the bridge at the crack so I grabbed these.