A Tale of Two Bridges: Dangerous and Still Standing

Abstract

Engineers hold the keys needed to inform the public about the seriousness of an impending crisis. The monumental effort that will be required to rebuild the constructed fabric of the United States is about to be forced on us and will be painful. While the wheels of government start to turn slowly in response to the increasingly obvious neglect, some elements of our infrastructure are dangerously deteriorated and need immediate action to protect lives. The community of engineers—practicing and retired—are a logical and informed resource. This is a privileged group endowed with a unique understanding of Mother Nature’s behavior by virtue of a special education and experience. It is proposed in this article that individuals and/or groups in the community of engineers identify obvious examples of infrastructure that are dangerous, and then explain their condition to the public. The engineering code of ethics demands no less. Monitoring and regulating functions are normally entrusted to government. Long-term neglect caused by misguided priorities, however, has resulted in a breakdown of the insurance of safety society takes for granted. Government agencies and corporate entities are failing in their responsibilities. This article documents my personal effort to uncover the true dangerous condition of two bridges in my community. Both bridges are owned by CSX Railroad: one is a road bridge over CSX tracks; the other is a CSX rail bridge with a road below. As a result of this effort, the road bridge has been closed but not replaced. Both, however, still pose a danger to the public and the environment. Suggestions are presented to facilitate quick action by the engineering community on other structures in danger of imminent collapse, and thereby seize an important leadership opportunity.