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by axkurtz from Norfolk

Last Post 641 days, 1 hour Ago


Bridges and Tunnels
Aug 2, 2007 | 11:23 AM
Category: News
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Yesterday's tragic event in Minneapolis should ring loud thoughout the country and the world on the safety of bridges.   We take for granted, that we travel across these things several times a day here in Hampton Roads.  I'm sure many of you have concerns, as well as myself.  How safe are the bridges around here?  Which one's concern you?  My heart goes out to those involved with yesterday's bridge collapse. . .
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Member Comments Total Comments: 4
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ladychesapeake
Aug 2, 2007 | 10:45 PM

"That's why they (inspectors) regularly check for rusting or concrete erosion." My heart goes out to them as well. The only one that really makes me uneasy is crossing over the Gilmerton Bridge I drive a bus and can look down onto the concrete sidewalk so to say. And look down and see the water through it. I do see the inspectors all the time but yet nothing gets done. One other over pass in Deep Creek is breaking down on CW Hwy. We were told that the ground was giving away. For some of us we were upset that we had to reroute the buses. But some of the other truck could pass over. after seeing the school bus on the bridge in Minneapolis I don't think we will be complaining no more. That could be us I'm glad Chesapeake took the extra step.
redhotz read my blog
Aug 3, 2007 | 12:15 AM

What a terrible tragedy. I was watching a newscast and saw a woman whom I do not recall her credentials speak of why this and other bridges have not been taken care of. Her reasoning is because bridges are so costly to repair. Now, my question is this, compared to the cost of human lives, which is more? I can't understand who makes this decision, and how can that or those persons make such a decison. And are they qualified to make such decision. I would think that somehow taxes could be pulled and slated for bridge repair. This incident is one that has crossed my mind since I can remember. The only difference is that when I think of it happening to me, I am dangling in my vehicle. It doesn't consume me, but it does make me wonder just what would I do. And then 2 years ago, we moved to Hampton Roads. You can imagine my concern when we were faced with the tunnels. Never had I been through a tunnel that went through the water. I had traveled through mountain tunnels in Colorado, yet never been stopped in one. I am back in KS now, and have seen reports since the MN tragedy that we have bridges that need attention. I certainly hope that unfortunately at these travelers demise, something will get done, not just there, but across the U.S. God Bless everyone affected by this tragedy.
VBResident123
Aug 3, 2007 | 5:49 PM

The tragedy in Minnesota is sad and we should all pray for them. As WAVY flies around the area "examining" the local bridges and reporting that some of our local bridges rated 1 or 2 out of a point system of 100, it made me wonder how low the bridge has to be rated before they are unsafe. On a scale of 0-100, what does a zero mean? Because if a bridge rated 1 is still safe why even have a system?
I'm sure there is probably alot of handringing somewhere right now, because if any bridge rated as low or lower than the Minnesota bridge falls anywhere, then someone is gonna have alot of explaining to do. Probably the biggest problem is NO one will be responsible.
nagnagnag read my blog
Aug 9, 2007 | 9:06 AM

There are many band wagons that our communities get on, and I am sure that we have citizens that have been saying for a long time...are our bridges safe? But will a tragedy as awful as the one in Minnesota get anything done about bridge safety if the big guys in power don't want to come off the money? We, and I include myself as strongly, spend a lot of time critizing and complaining about things that need to be done, but we never offer any solutions. Does anyone have any solutions to how we can vote individuals into powerful places and get them to attend to everyone's agenda and not just their own, or their money people's agenda? How can someone make a difference, an impact, and get some real results so that Minnesota doesn't happen again, anywhere. I can sign petitions, I can vote for the person I think is telling the truth. But I cannot reconstruct a bridge. Are there answers?
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axkurtz

Assistant chief photographer at WAVY-TV/FOX 43. I'm originally from the Jersey Shore. I spent two years at WBOC TV in Salisbury MD before coming to WAVY in May of 1998. Some of my assignments have taken me to faraway places such as Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Italy, Spain, Crete, Puerto Rico, Africa, Cypruss and Lebenon. I've covered some of the biggest stories in the past ten years from the USS Cole bombing, 9/11 in NYC, most major hurricanes all the way to the American Idol finales in Los Angeles. Most of the time you'll find me covering general assignment stories around Hampton Roads. I've been an active member of the NPPA for over nine years. In my spare time I play guitar, volunteer with my dog (Reading Paws) and spend time with my awesome wife Liz. Feel free to ask me any questions about life as a photographer!

Member Since: 7/26/2007


 

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