Genoa bridge collapse: at least 22 killed, Italian minister says
Last edited Tue Aug 14, 2018, 09:34 AM - Edit history (1)
Source: The Guardian
At least 22 people have died after a motorway bridge collapsed in the northern Italian city of Genoa.
An 80-metre section of the Morandi Bridge on the A10 motorway came down in an industrial area of the port city during a sudden and violent storm at about 11.30am (0930 GMT).
The death toll was given at the scene by Edoardo Rixi, the deputy transport minister. At least eight people have been injured, and four people pulled alive from the rubble, he added.
About 20 vehicles including cars and trucks were on the affected section of the bridge when it fell 100 metres, mostly onto rail tracks, the fire service said. Other rescue workers compared the conditions to an earthquake.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/14/genoa-motorway-bridge-collapses-italy
muriel_volestrangler
(101,316 posts)BumRushDaShow
(128,983 posts)To have housing right underneath is just insane!
Earlier in the month, they were engulfed in an extended heatwave gripping much of Europe so I can see how it is possible that weak and already-compromised infrastructure could also be negatively impacted by extended high temps.
marble falls
(57,083 posts)WePurrsevere
(24,259 posts)is a recipe for disaster and asking for something horrible like this to happen here.
marble falls
(57,083 posts)But we can afford a 3/4 Trillion budget for defense.
WePurrsevere
(24,259 posts)our infrastructure to fail so they can then point at it and push for privatization.
The Rs can always 'find' the money for things on their corporate (and foreign) owners wish list. The reality has become that the military is a sizable cash cow for politicians and some but corporations. Unfortunately it's not for the troops and their families who actually deserve the funds.
Julian Englis
(2,309 posts)Autostrade said it had been strengthening the road foundations of the bridge, which had been built in the 1960s.
The works and state of the viaduct were under constant monitoring and supervision, the company said in a statement.
The causes of the collapse will be thoroughly investigated as soon it is be safe to access the site.
FailureToCommunicate
(14,014 posts)Horrible. And it's insane to build apartments under bridges, or bridges over densly populated areas.
Those unfortunate people.
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,446 posts)Last edited Tue Aug 14, 2018, 10:44 AM - Edit history (1)
The objection noted is that the Brooklyn Bridge is "a monument on the scale of the Statue of Liberty."
Ice Skating Rink Might Be Built Under Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation is considering installing an ice skating rink underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, city records show.
By Kathleen Culliton, Patch Staff | Nov 9, 2017 10:51 am ET | Updated Nov 9, 2017 2:07 pm ET
....
"Nowhere in the world would it be appropriate to have a skating rink under the Brooklyn Bridge," said resident Katrin Adams. "It's a monument on the scale of the Statue of Liberty."
....
DUMBO_Brooklyn,_as_seen_from_the_viewing_gallery_of_One_World_Trade_Center:
FailureToCommunicate
(14,014 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(57,446 posts)Credit for the photographer:
WE 615 eases its way across Mingo Creek Viaduct with 6985 leading 6359 and 51 coke empties, Mingo Creek Viaduct stands at a towering 195 feet tall above Mingo Creek, This was taken from PA-43 which towers at a estimated 260 ft
Railroad: Wheeling & Lake Erie
Locomotive: EMD SD40-2
Location: Crookham, Pennsylvania, USA
Locomotive #: WE 6985
Train ID: 615
Photo Date: April 05, 2016
By: Pitt1292 Photography
Added: May 06, 2016
More pictures by him:
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=62076
herding cats
(19,564 posts)Crabby Appleton
(5,231 posts)WePurrsevere
(24,259 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(57,446 posts)Of course.
At Least 20 People Killed As Span Of Busy Highway Bridge Collapses In Italy
August 14, 20187:38 AM ET
....
#14agosto il video del crollo di #PonteMorandi a #Genova Polcevera Morandi
@VAIstradeanas @DPCgov @emergenzavvf @Viminale @ComunediGenova
@StradeAnas
https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1029320372213174272
You don't need to know Italian to understand the commentary.
gademocrat7
(10,657 posts)EX500rider
(10,848 posts)The bridge's designer, Riccardo Morandi (1902-1989) had miscalculated the "viscous deformation" - an ageing effect on reinforced concrete, Mr Brencich said.
"He was an engineer with great insight but lacking in practical calculations," the lecturer said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45183624
moondust
(19,981 posts)Maybe more buried under rubble.
Some reports that bridge was struck by lightning before collapse.
Apparently around 300 Italian bridges and tunnels need work.
(Above per France24.)
BigmanPigman
(51,593 posts)This is just another aspect of what is connected to the future we face as Climate Change ramps up. We are not ready be a long shot. Fuck the deniers!
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)Climate Change is real and getting worse. But we do ourselves a disservice by blaming these things on it.
This is a design and to a lesser degree a maintenance issue.
Heat, cold and rain do not cause well designed and maintained structures this large to fail. The are supposed to be designed for it.
We have bridges larger and far older than this that were well designed and maintained which are as good as the day they were built. Better even. The Brooklyn Bridge will be here for our great, great grandkids to see. And it was the first of them all. A true testament to human enginuity.
That said, there are countless small bridges and viaducts crumbling in this country from lack of maintenance. But there are no bridges in the US with this design.
Lets not mix plots.
Calista241
(5,586 posts)nitpicker
(7,153 posts)muriel_volestrangler
(101,316 posts)He stayed conscious - was able to call the fire brigade and his family.
hunter
(38,312 posts)A deficient design, maintenance issues, all of it...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-35W_Mississippi_River_bridge