Latest news with #AmericanAssociationofStateHighwayandTransportationOfficials
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
NH delegation asks feds to 'quickly' undertake risk assessment of Memorial Bridge
New Hampshire's congressional delegation is urging federal officials to 'quickly' undertake a risk assessment of the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth. The request comes after a report issued in March by the National Transportation Safety Board raised safety questions about dozens of bridges across the country, including the Memorial Bridge. Bridge Letter The report identified 68 bridges in 19 states, and recommended that their owners conduct vulnerability assessments to determine the risk of a collapse from a vessel collision. The recommendation is part of the ongoing investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The NTSB determined the Key Bridge, which collapsed after being struck by the container ship Dali on March 26, 2024, was almost 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold for critical or essential bridges, according to guidance established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The Memorial Bridge is a 1,200-foot-long vertical-lift bridge that carries U.S. Route 1 across the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine. The bridge is 11 years old. It replaced the original bridge, which opened in 1923, dedicated as a "memorial to the soldiers and sailors of New Hampshire who participated in the World War 1917-1919," according to the bronze plaque affixed to both the old and new bridges. Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth The Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth in a 2019 file photo. The NTSB assessment describes Memorial Bridge as of "typical" rather "critical" concern compared to others on the list. Last June, a 48,000-pound sailboat with a 49-foot mast hit the Memorial Bridge after its rudder cables broke and the boat was carried away by the current. In March, the NTSB said its report does not suggest the 68 bridges mentioned are sure to collapse, it is simply recommending these 30 bridge owners evaluate whether the bridges are above the acceptable level of risk. Unlike the Key Bridge, whose span was more than 130 feet above the water, the Memorial Bridge's roadway is about 20 feet above the river. And when the bridge is open to allow ship traffic to pass, vehicles are stopped by gates at the approaches. In a letter Monday to Federal Highway Administration Executive Director Gloria Shepherd, New Hampshire's congressional delegation wrote, 'As this work begins, we want to ensure the FHA has the resources it needs to successfully provide guidance and assistance" to state transportation agencies. "If Memorial Bridge is found to have an annual frequency of collapse greater than (the threshold), how will FHWA support NHDOT in developing and implementing a comprehensive risk reduction plan? 'We remain deeply invested in the safety of our district's bridges and roadways, and we appreciate your attention to this important matter.' pfeely@
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Here's the dozens of bridges that could be at risk of collapse across the US
The National Transportation Safety Board has identified 68 bridges across 19 states that may be at risk of collapse, following 'vulnerability assessments.' In a new report, the NTSB identified bridges with 'unknown levels' of collapse risk including famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in California, and the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. The report and subsequent recommendations come as part of the ongoing investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in March 2024, which occurred after the Dali containership collided with the structure. Over the last year 68 bridges have been identified as being built before 1991 and without a 'current vulnerability assessment." The report urged the bridge owners to calculate whether the probability of a bridge collapse from a vessel collision is above the acceptable risk threshold established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. 'If so, we urge them to develop and implement a risk reduction plan that includes input from the interdisciplinary team, identifies short- and long-term strategies to reduce risk, and considers the safety of the vessels and structures in the waterways,' the report stated. The recommendations have been issued to 30 owners of the different bridges across the country, the bureau announced on Thursday. Seven bridges were located in California, mostly in the Bay Area – including the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Thirteen were named in New York state, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan bridge. Bridges in need of inspection were also identified in Delaware (3), Florida (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Maryland (3), Massachusetts (4), Michigan (1), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (2), Ohio (6), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode island (1), Texas (7), Washington (1) and Wisconsin (1). A full list can be found in Appendix B of the NTSB report. The bureau noted that the findings does not suggest that the 68 bridges are certain to collapse, only in need of assessment under AASHTO standards. On Thursday, federal investigators said that the Maryland Transportation Authority failed to complete a recommended vulnerability assessment that would have shown the Francis Scott Key Bridge was at significant risk of collapse from a ship strike long before its demise. The NTSB found that the Key Bridge was almost 30 times greater than the acceptable risk threshold for critical or essential bridges. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said Maryland officials have had decades to assess their bridges. She said they still haven't assessed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge even after last year's collapse. 'There's no excuse,' she said.
The Independent
21-03-2025
- General
- The Independent
Here's the dozens of bridges that could be at risk of collapse across the US
The National Transportation Safety Board has identified 68 bridges across 19 states that may be at risk of collapse, following 'vulnerability assessments.' In a new report, the NTSB identified bridges with 'unknown levels' of collapse risk including famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in California, and the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in March 2024, which occurred after the Dali containership collided with the structure. Over the last year 68 bridges have been identified as being built before 1991 and without a 'current vulnerability assessment." The report urged the bridge owners to calculate whether the probability of a bridge collapse from a vessel collision is above the acceptable risk threshold established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. 'If so, we urge them to develop and implement a risk reduction plan that includes input from the interdisciplinary team, identifies short- and long-term strategies to reduce risk, and considers the safety of the vessels and structures in the waterways,' the report stated. The recommendations have been issued to 30 owners of the different bridges across the country, the bureau announced on Thursday. Seven bridges were located in California, mostly in the Bay Area – including the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Thirteen were named in New York state, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan bridge. Bridges in need of inspection were also identified in Delaware (3), Florida (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Maryland (3), Massachusetts (4), Michigan (1), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (2), Ohio (6), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (4), Rhode island (1), Texas (7), Washington (1) and Wisconsin (1). A full list can be found in Appendix B of the NTSB report. The bureau noted that the findings does not suggest that the 68 bridges are certain to collapse, only in need of assessment under AASHTO standards. On Thursday, federal investigators said that the Maryland Transportation Authority failed to complete a recommended vulnerability assessment that would have shown the Francis Scott Key Bridge was at significant risk of collapse from a ship strike long before its demise. The NTSB found that the Key Bridge was almost 30 times greater than the acceptable risk threshold for critical or essential bridges. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said Maryland officials have had decades to assess their bridges. She said they still haven't assessed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge even after last year's collapse. 'There's no excuse,' she said.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Could a vessel strike cause the Newport Bridge to collapse? What a federal report says
A year after the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland, federal officials are warning that dozens of bridges around the country – including one in Rhode Island – could face a similar risk. National Transportation Safety Board officials investigating the Baltimore bridge catastrophe issued a new report this week saying that 68 bridges in 19 states haven't been properly evaluated to determine their risk of collapsing. Some of the bridges included in the report are among the nation's most popular and heavily-trafficked, like California's Golden Gate Bridge and New York's Brooklyn Bridge. One bridge in Rhode Island made the list. According to the NTSB report, the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge could be at risk of collapsing because it hasn't been properly evaluated. The bridge, which is named after late Sen. Claiborne Pell, connects Newport to Jamestown, carrying Route 138 over Narragansett Bay. The span first opened in 1969 and is the longest suspension bridge in New England. The ramps to the bridge were reconstructed in 2023 to demolish the so-called "highway to nowhere" overpass, The bridge has also recently undergone a multi-phase road deck rehabilitation project. The bridge is also Rhode Island's only toll bridge, and the physical toll booths were recently demolished to convert to all-electronic tolling through E-ZPass. NTSB officials said the new report indicates where authorities haven't properly assessed bridges to see if they are at risk of collapsing. 'Frankly we've been sounding the alarm on this since the tragedy occurred,' NTSB Chair Jennifer L. Homendy said during a press conference. 'We need action. Public safety depends on it.' The agency said the 68 bridges in the report are not certain to collapse. Rather, they need to be evaluated to determine whether they meet the acceptable risk threshold based on guidance from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The NTSB said the Key Bridge was found to be almost 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold. It collapsed after being struck by a container ship on March 26, 2024, killing six people. This story was updated to correct an inaccuracy. Melina Khan is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY Network - New England, which serves more than a dozen affiliated publications across New England. She can be reached at MKhan@ This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Feds say Pell Bridge needs to be assessed for risk of collapse
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Bridge flagged for collapse risk assessment following Baltimore bridge tragedy
The Memorial Bridge has been identified as one of dozens of United States bridges that should be evaluated for risk of collapse from a vessel strike. The National Transportation Safety Board's Thursday report was released nearly one year after the fatal Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore that killed several construction workers. A massive cargo ship, the Dali, lost power and struck the major bridge, sending a significant portion of it toppling into the Patapsco River. Among the 68 bridges named for risk assessment are the Memorial Bridge and several iconic structures, including the Tobin Bridge in Boston, the Golden Gate Bridge in California, the Chicago Skyway Calumet River Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. 'Today's report does not suggest that the 68 bridges are certain to collapse,' the National Transporation Safety Board wrote on Thursday. 'The NTSB is recommending that these 30 bridge owners evaluate whether the bridges are above the (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) acceptable level of risk. The NTSB recommended that bridge owners develop and implement a comprehensive risk reduction plan if the calculations indicate a bridge has a risk level above the (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) threshold.' The Francis Scott Key Bridge was found to be nearly 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold for critical or essential bridges per standards outlined by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent federal agency responsible for reviewing civil transportation accidents. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials created its risk assessment formula for new bridges on the National Highway System in 1991. All 68 bridges recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board to undergo a risk assessment were designed before the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials guidance was formed. The National Transportation Safety Board is urging the owners of the 68 identified bridges to calculate the annual frequency of potential collapse using the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials methodology. 'The 30 owners of 68 bridges over navigable waterways frequented by ocean-going vessels are likely unaware of their bridges' risk of catastrophic collapse from a vessel collision and the potential need to implement countermeasures to reduce the bridges' vulnerability,' the National Transportation Safety Board wrote in its report. The Memorial Bridge is the only bridge from Maine or New Hampshire to be named for risk assessment in the National Transportation Safety Board's report. Connecting Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Kittery, Maine, the original Memorial Bridge opened to the public in 1923. The vertical lift bridge is jointly owned by the Maine Department of Transportation and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. A 600-foot tanker headed for Portland, Maine, struck the Memorial Bridge in 2014 and caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage, though the structure's fender system prevented any catastrophic collapse. The most recent vessel strike on the Memorial Bridge was far less impactful but drew onlookers' attention. The mast of a roughly 50-foot-long sailboat cruising along the Piscataqua hit the bridge in June 2024, forcing two passengers to be safely evacuated and the U.S. Coast Guard to save the sailboat from capsizing. A staple of Portsmouth Harbor, the zinc-coated bridge, which carries U.S. Route 1 traffic into southern Maine, was replaced and reopened in an emotional 2013 ceremony, becoming the first gussetless truss bridge in the world. The bridge was rededicated to U.S. soldiers and sailors who lost their lives in World War I. The replacement project cost nearly $90 million and was taken across the finish line with tens of millions of dollars in federal funding. This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Feds flag Memorial Bridge for collapse risk assessment: What to know
