The deadliest bridge collapse in US history occurred on May 23, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapsed during the evening rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring 145. It was reported that the bridge had been deemed structurally deficient by the National Bridge Inventory in 1990.
The bridge collapse was due to a combination of factors, including poor design and construction, inadequate maintenance and inspections, and corrosion to the steel components. The bridge was designed with a continuous gusset plate which was inadequate to support the bridge weight. It was also discovered that the bridge had been loaded beyond its capacity, which exacerbated the problem.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a report on the collapse in 2010, which highlighted the inadequacies of the bridge and the need for increased bridge inspections and maintenance. The report also recommended that bridges that are structurally deficient should be replaced or retrofitted as soon as possible.
The incident sparked a nationwide effort to improve bridge safety. In response to the tragedy, Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act, which mandated that states inspect bridges every two years.
The I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse is a reminder that bridges need to be regularly inspected and maintained. By staying on top of bridge maintenance, we can ensure that our bridges remain safe and reliable for years to come.
Deadliest Bridge Collapse In US History: The Silver Bridge Disaster
The deadliest bridge collapse in US history is the Silver Bridge disaster that occurred on December 15, 1967, in West Virginia. The Silver Bridge was a single-span steel truss bridge which connected Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and Gallipolis, Ohio, across the Ohio River. It was built in 1928 by the M.A. Naylor Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was the site of one of the deadliest bridge collapses in US history.
The Silver Bridge was an eyebar-chain suspension bridge, meaning it was constructed of small steel eyebars linked together in a chain to form the bridge’s deck. The bridge had a total length of 1,750 feet and was 40 feet wide. It was a popular bridge for commuters traveling between Point Pleasant and Gallipolis, and had an average of 2,400 vehicles daily.
The collapse of the Silver Bridge occurred during the evening rush hour traffic as many were crossing the bridge and going home from work. The cause of the collapse was traced to the failure of a single eyebar in a suspension chain on the Ohio side of the bridge.
The collapse of the bridge sent 31 vehicles and their occupants into the Ohio River. 46 people died in the disaster and it was the deadliest bridge collapse in US history. The cost of the disaster was estimated to be approximately $2.4 million.
The collapse of the Silver Bridge focused nationwide attention on the issue of bridge safety. It prompted an overhaul of bridge inspection standards and spurred the development of improved bridge construction techniques. The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the failure of the bridge to faulty eyebar design and inadequate inspection procedures.
Today, a memorial stands in Point Pleasant to honor the victims of the Silver Bridge disaster. The memorial was erected in 1997 as a reminder of the importance of bridge safety and the importance of taking care of our infrastructure.
The Collapse Of The Silver Bridge: What Happened On December 15, 1967?
On the evening of December 15, 1967, a suspension bridge spanning the Ohio River between Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and Gallipolis, Ohio, collapsed during rush hour traffic. The bridge, known as the Silver Bridge, was the primary crossing for hundreds of commuters each day and was constructed in 1928. The tragedy of the collapse caused the deaths of 46 people, making it the deadliest bridge collapse in US history.
The cause of the collapse was due to a single eye-bar in a suspension chain breaking. This caused the entire bridge to fall into the Ohio River below. The collapse occurred with no warning, leaving the vehicles and people on the bridge helpless. In the moments before the collapse, several people reported hearing a loud crack, which was the sound of the eye-bar breaking.
The Silver Bridge was a cantilever truss bridge and was constructed using an eye-bar chain suspension. This method of suspension was prone to rust and fatigue, which is believed to be the cause of the eye-bar breaking. The day before the bridge collapsed, an inspection had been conducted and no signs of corrosion were found. A subsequent investigation concluded that poor maintenance and inspections were the cause of the collapse.
The tragedy of the collapse of the Silver Bridge resulted in several changes to bridge inspections and design. In 1971, the National Bridge Inspection Standards were established to ensure that bridges were regularly inspected and maintained. Today, all bridges in the US must comply with the standards. Additionally, the use of eye-bar chain suspension was discontinued in favor of more modern methods, such as cable-stayed and beam bridges.
The collapse of the Silver Bridge has been a reminder of the importance of safe bridge design and construction. To this day, it remains the deadliest bridge collapse in US history and a reminder of the need for vigilance and safety when constructing and maintaining bridges.
The deadliest bridge collapse in US history is the collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967, which killed 46 people and injured another 34.
The collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967 was caused by the failure of a single eyebar in a suspension chain.
The Silver Bridge collapsed on December 15th, 1967.
The Silver Bridge was located between Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and Kanauga, Ohio.
The Silver Bridge was a suspension bridge.
The Silver Bridge was constructed from steel.
In the aftermath of the Silver Bridge collapse, the US government mandated stricter guidelines for bridge construction and safety.
The Silver Bridge was rebuilt in 1969 and renamed the Silver Memorial Bridge.
The Silver Bridge was designed by John A. Roebling and Sons.
The memorial that was built for the victims of the Silver Bridge collapse is called the Silver Bridge Memorial.