appalachianview / Depositphotos.com
After the horrific collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Tuesday, many in Louisiana are concerned if it could happen in the Bayou State. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallet said bridges that have large vessel traffic the support beams are protected by a fender system.
“And what it’s designed to do is deflect. Kind of like a guard rail does. When you hit that it’s supposed to deflect you, so you don’t hit the bridge head-on,” said Mallet.
And while not every bridge has a fender system in Louisiana, Mallet said for those waterways where cargo ships and other large vessels travel, a fender system is in place.
“The Mississippi River Bridge, has a very robust fender system and it gets hit about once every couple of years, and we have to repair the fender system. But nothing to the pier,” said Mallet.
Mallet also points out that because the Mississippi River is winding, barge traffic tends to go slower, and comparing what happened in Baltimore is an apples-to-oranges scenario right now.
And until the investigation of the bridge collapse in Baltimore is completed Mallet said it’s hard to answer if exactly what happened there could happen here. But Mallet points out that the new Mississippi River Bridge, that’s been there since the 60s…
“And we haven’t had anything that terrible happen to that bridge. We hope that trend continues but this is definitely a rare occurrence,” said Mallet.
Mallet also says if a bridge is open in Louisiana, it’s safe to drive over. DOTD is required to inspect all bridges every two years, but Mallet says those with high-traffic, are inspected every six months.
Comments