Ivan Collapses Part of I-10

[Ivanova]

I-10 is a critical East/West link.

Interesting that a hurricane can do this type of damage




Ivan Washes Out I-10 Bridge Over Escambia Bay


Roads, Bridges Closed Throughout Panhandle

UPDATED: 4:08 PM EDT September 16, 2004

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Motorists can't drive across Escambia Bay on Interstate 10 Thursday morning because the bridge is washed out.

Hurricane Ivan has destroyed a quarter-mile section of the eastbound section of the bridge. A chunk of the eastbound roadway fell into the water. The westbound section is still standing but is damaged.

The U.S. 90 bridge that parallels I-10 is also closed due to damage. The Florida Department of Transportation is currently working on a detour route for east-west traffic.

In the aftermath of Ivan, many other roads and bridges were shut down across the Florida Panhandle.


http://www.news4jax.com/weather/3735525/detail.html

[LAwxrgal]

I saw some of the damage close-up on TV this morning.

Unbelievable.

Those of you who said this storm wasn't a Cat 3 at landfall I beg to differ. Period. This storm was at least Cat 3, probably a 3/4 border, with upper Cat 4 storm surge.

[Lindaloo]

Actually the storm did not cause that damage to the bridge. A jackknifed 18 wheeler did that damage. The bridge is now open to emergency vehicles, power companies, maintenance and residents.

[Canelaw99]

Linda - how ya figure? I saw the pics with that tractor trailer and several chunks of the highway were misaligned, and a couple were missing altogether. Now, I know that jacknifed tractor trailers can do a lot of damage, but not that much I don't think.....?????

[Lindaloo]

Tell that to the Florida department of transportation. If the bridge were washed out completely, then no traffic either way. It has been all over the radio and newstations here. The bridge is now open.

[gtalum]

That tractor-trailer did not cause the major damage to the bridge. If you look closely you can see that the storm surge actually floated many of the road sections up off of their supports. Most of them shifted somewhat when this happened, giving the roadbed that zig-zag look. Some of them on the eastbound side, however, actually floated up enough to come completely off of the supports, causing one section of the bridge to disappear completely. Teh westbound side is probably in us eby emergency personnel because it will be "safe": for a very small amoun tof traffic until it is fixed. They'll fix that side really fast (its amazing to see how fast they can fix that stuff when there's a major emergency) and then divert the eastbound lanes into one of the westbound lanes across the bay until they fix the eastbound side.

[elvinp]

Maybe it is the westbound bridge that is open. The eastbound cannot be repaired yet if that picture is correct.

[Terry]

Actually the storm did not cause that damage to the bridge. A jackknifed 18 wheeler did that damage. The bridge is now open to emergency vehicles, power companies, maintenance and residents.

Go figure. The news reports I've been seeing all indicated that the storm surge knocked out parts of the bridge and the tractor-trailor was a victim.

They believe the cab (and driver) is submerged. (there is an oil slick) And they aren't sure there weren't more people on the bridge who went in the water.

Whatever, I hope they find this truck driver alive, but highly doubtful. At the very least, I hope the media share his identity and something about him/her since they've all been using that frightening picture.

[patsmsg]

IMO, There is NO way a truck took the bridge out. The storm surge did it. I've never heard of such a thing happening due to a jack knifing truck.

[Lindaloo]

Oh grief!! I should have looked at the pictures instead of listening to all the hype on the radio here. I just received power back and was going by what they were saying on the radio!!

Yes, it looks like water from the bay took the sections out. I hope the driver is okay too!!


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/ ... 1849.shtml

[Canelaw99]

LOL Linda - that's what ya get for listenin' to those radio people LOL ALWAYS trust what ya see

[mb229]

from FL DOT website; I-10 closed both directions

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicinform ... #northwest

[Ivanova]

I-10 is a critical east/west link...
all the USA needs now is a major
earthquake on the New Madrid


“A fault is buried under the earth,
so it’s not like looking at the sky
and seeing a dark cloud..."

http://www.disasterrelief.org/Disasters/980422quakes/


*

[otowntiger]

Actually the storm did not cause that damage to the bridge. A jackknifed 18 wheeler did that damage. The bridge is now open to emergency vehicles, power companies, maintenance and residents.

Ummm.... are we talking about the same bridge here? There is NO WAY a truck did that to that bridge. How did that truck smash whole sections into the water and shift the supporting piers in what appears to be south to north misalignment? Plus, look at the picture closer, the west side is also pretty messed up (i.e. badly misaligned) so I don't see how they'ed let traffic go west bound either.

[PanAmMIA]

Oh grief!! I should have looked at the pictures instead of listening to all the hype on the radio here. I just received power back and was going by what they were saying on the radio!!

Yes, it looks like water from the bay took the sections out. I hope the driver is okay too!!


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/ ... 1849.shtml

The driver is missing and attempts by divers to even locate the front part of the truck have been unsuccessful.
Mike

[Lindaloo]

Actually the storm did not cause that damage to the bridge. A jackknifed 18 wheeler did that damage. The bridge is now open to emergency vehicles, power companies, maintenance and residents.

Ummm.... are we talking about the same bridge here? There is NO WAY a truck did that to that bridge. How did that truck smash whole sections into the water and shift the supporting piers in what appears to be south to north misalignment? Plus, look at the picture closer, the west side is also pretty messed up (i.e. badly misaligned) so I don't see how they'ed let traffic go west bound either.

UM read my post above!!

[jpigott]

i just read on Wright Weather Bulletin Board that parts of I-40 near the Tenn/NC border un in the mtns. are washing out/impassable. If this is the case that would make parts of 2 MAJOR US INTERSTATES (I-10 and I-40) unusable for the short-term due to Ivan. Unbelievable . . . this ain't country roads we're talking about, these are vital parts of the US transportation grids

[greeng13]

someone mentioned possible reports of others being swept off the bridge...just wondering if they were confirmed or not...also does anyone know how high off of a normal tide that bridge sits? because after the repairs it looks as though a taller bridge should be ordered...un frikin believable (what was that driver doing on the bridge in those circumstances anyways?)---i hope he/she ends up being ok

[Possum Trot]

From Florida DOT:

Traffic Warnings and Updates
Last updated 9/17/04 - 3:17 p.m.

I-10 and US 90 in Escambia County is closed to traffic Chipley–The Escambia Bay Bridge on I-10 is closed to traffic in both directions due to structural damage. Reports indicate that east and westbound spans on both ends of the bridge connecting Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have suffered severe damage and are impassable. The US 90 bridge that parallels I-10 is also closed due to damage to a relief bridge. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is currently assessing damage to both bridges and working on a detour route for I-10 traffic. US 98 south through Gulf Breeze has also suffered major road damage.

For more road closings in Florida:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicinform ... #northwest

[Possum Trot]

I looked at the pic at the link provided by Lindaloo:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/ ... 1849.shtml

What I can't explain to myself is how the back half of the empty trailer managed to stay on the bridge, and exactly what kind of force sheared the trailer so cleanly in two.

Suggestions?