Gov. Rendell: Pa. Bridges Among Worst In Nation

[Lobster Martini]

Today’s interesting fact: if you drive across a bridge in Pennsylvania, the odds are better than one in five that it’s structurally deficient. The odds on Red Cat Bayou in the sixth race at Evangeline Downs (4-1) are better than the odds that the bridge you're driving on in Pennsylvania isn't structurally deficient.

(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA Governor Ed Rendell called attention to the deplorable condition of many Pennsylvania bridges, following a deadly bridge collapse in Minneapolis during the height of rush hour Wednesday.

“We’re first in state owned bridges that are over 75 years of age. We are also first in the nation in number of structurally deficient bridges", Rendell said.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there are roughly 25,000 bridges in Pennsylvania, 5,900 of which are structurally deficient.

According to a Federal Highway Administration website, a “deficient” rating does not necessarily mean a bridge is likely to collapse; however it does mean that significant “load carrying elements” such as steel beams are in poor or worse condition.

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(Link: http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_214170527.html)

[napi21]

1. That's no big surprise! I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa. and they have LOTS of bridges there.

All of them were VERY OLD when I was a little kid, and I'm now 64!

[BlooInBloo]

2. The Pitt & Liberty tubes looked decrepit last time I saw them (5-10 years ago)

[napi21]

7. Those Liberty Tubes are as old as the bridges! Last time I went

through them was over 5 years ago and lots of tiles were missing, lights burned out, and the road surface was a mess! I don't recall the FP tunnels looking quite as bad.

[BlooInBloo]

8. Yup - that's what I recall.

[Lobster Martini]

5. Around Philadelphia...

...I used to drive under bridges that had nets to catch the falling debris. (I believe I recall three bridges with nets. I could be mistaken.)

[WCGreen]

3. He was also talking about privitization on CNBC today...

that's the ticket...

Let the rich pay for their own roads while we all have to take out chances...

[TwilightGardener]

4. Pittsburgh is one bridge/tunnel-dependent city--

I'm sure my hometown was a little nervous getting around this morning.

[Rick Myers]

6. I can tell you this bridge didn't look dangerous

Not compared to bridges I've seen in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Chicago!!!