Bridge Porn

[NJmike PE]

not sure if we have this thread but we need it!

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[akwooly]

what is going on here?

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LOL We have a bridge like that up here. 

 

[MA_PE]

My entire childhood involved driving through the Big Dig 6-10 times a year on visits to my grandparents. It was awesome to see what was happening and what had happened since the last trip through. 

Then I worked for a large contractor that had major work in the Big Dig and learned what an absolute shit show the Project was...

Don’t be so harsh.  It actually did wonders for Boston traffic.  Initial estimates were very low relative to the  actual cost but truthfully if they had used the realistic estimates it never would have happened.  This is from a MA resident who thought it was a foolish idea to begin with but now enjoys the benefits.

 

[bwin12]

Sure it worked wonders for the traffic. I have visited Boston (like downtown, not driving through) quite a few times and agree. The temporary works to carry traffic while construction was ongoing was nothing sort of amazing, but I can vividly recall as a 9 year old listening to my dad gripe about it as he was trying to navigate Route 1 to I-93. 

I was initially referring to the excavation work through what is basically a landfill, pieces falling off tunnels, the mafia connections and the general consensus that only the local contractors made any money in the deal (big guys got screwed) among other things. All of that is aside from the fact that the Big Dig was supposed to be ~$3 billion (1990ish dollars) and ended up being closer to $10 billion, which you allude to.

I think you're right, if they were honest it would have never happened. But my grandparents/aunts/uncles living between Boston and the cape (but generally staying away from Boston) really felt like they were sold a bill of goods. 

 

[P-E]

This bridge came up as a screen saver the other day.  Located in Da Nang.

 

[Supe]

I hear bridges around Atlanta blow fire too.  Only, it comes from a homeless guy setting construction materials on fire and spalling all the concrete.  

 

[DoctorWho-PE]

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Update: Westbound is open!

 

[Dothracki PE]

The new Kosciuszko bridge (also pretty much the same design as the new Goethals bridge and the Mario Cuomo bridge that replaced the Tappan Zee) 

 

[bwin12]

Update: Westbound is open!

Is this the new bridge over the Mississippi between the Quad Cities? 

 

[DoctorWho-PE]

Is this the new bridge over the Mississippi between the Quad Cities? 

Yep. Or at least part of it.

 

[Dothracki PE]

Zhejiang Rutig Bridge, China

 

[NJHHEngineer P.E.]

The new Kosciuszko bridge (also pretty much the same design as the new Goethals bridge and the Mario Cuomo bridge that replaced the Tappan Zee) View attachment 19839

I went to a presentation on the demo of the old Kosciuszko bridge...they showed a video of the blasting.  It was so cool...especially to pull off in the city like that.

 

[NJmike PE]

On the topic of Bridge Porn, check this shit out!

This is an overpass bridge for NJSH Route 15, on the departure side of the SB lanes in Jefferson, NJ. Apparently, this was struck by a truck about a year ago. Apparently the truck struck all nine of the girders. At the time of the incident, it was inspected and NJDOT decided to only fix what was obviously damaged. Well, that was a big ol' failure. Now, per my understanding two of them girders are failing with cracks. NJ-15 is a main accessway from the NW region of NJ to commute on daily. Right now the entire SB lane is closed until the finish evaluating the failure and integrity of the structure and come up with a temporary solution. Even then, they only plan to open one lane on the SB side. This is a shit show and will be for some time. 

 

[Tiger15]

I have a friend who builds matchstick structures. This will be his next project...