YIKES, the bridges are falling apart!
Yes, its true that we need our roads and bridges to be rebuilt. Have you seen them lately?
Yes it is true our roads and bridges are in disrepair? They are crumbling! I am a commercial motor vehicle operator full time so I see the roads and bridges in a better light then those in DC sitting upon their high throne. They dictate to us as to what we need to spend our money on and what not to spend money on for the federal government. You have heard the rant out of there mouths > TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH, TAX CUT FOR BIG OIL, BIG PHARMA, BIG BUSINESS.
When in reality these businesses, as well as the CEO's, CFO's, Presidents, Vice Presidents, CIA, FBI, and those hated politicians all travel over these roads. So why do we cut the funding to maintain these important infrastructure. Wait there is NO MONEY for these projects? Each gallon of diesel fuel, and gasoline sold in the USA a road tax is collected. Even Trucking, Limo and Motor Coach companies pay an additional road use tax. Where is the money.
YIKES! This is bridge support structures!
Yup, another bridge support base with exposed rebar!
Here is an overpass over I 75 in Michigan about 20 miles south of Detroit. The picture does not do justice; but the section missing I will estimate about 2 1/2' down from the top and about 7' in length. This whole section broke off and fell on I 75 last fall.
Exposed Bridge Support Rebar Steel. This exposed structural rebar set in concrete stand about 8' from the ground up to the bottom side of the bridge and about 3' in width.
So do you feel safe now traveling over the bridges in America?
A factual study of American Bridges conducted by the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) has found that in America there is an estimated 60,0000 +/- bridges that are deemed "Structurally Deficient."
Do you remember the I 35 span in Minneapolis/St. Paul that fell in August of 2007? That bridge was deemed structurally deficient just weeks prior to it falling.
Just this past Friday September 9, 2011 in Richmond, VA the main seat for Eric Cantor (R), House Majority Chair tried to deflect questions from reporters as to in his district there are so many bridges in need of repairs. Per the NTSB; they have found a total of 94 bridges in his district that are deemed "STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT."
I can say that we here in St. Louis are troubled by the amount of construction traffic and back ups. But we are displaced into ORANGE BARREL SEASON here.......the roads and bridges are bring rebuilt! Since 2009 most of the bridges and overpasses are already replaced except for a few that is in the final rebuilding stages. All of the interstates in the area are being repaved or have been repaved. But for other parts of the USA there is construction ongoing to rebuild them. But we need to spend more money on these infrastructures to be rebuilt.
So when you are driving on the interstates do the following > Open your eyes and look real good at the supports, and bridges in the rural parts of America. Do not look in the St. Louis Area, but when you are away from your place of living. You will be surprised at what you find.
Again, I hope you enjoyed my blogs. Please feel free to comment.
Stay Safe!
Roy
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