Tag Archives: bridges

Bridges

Posted in Uncategorized by

Recently, stories have been released in the news on bridges Locally, they say they will replace the current 4 lane bridge with a new one, expected to cost a billion dollars. I do hope to live long enough to see just how much the cost over runs will be. If I were a betting man, I’d have to put my bet on at least 1.3 billion. Invariably all government projects take 30% more than planned.

Truth be told, I think it is planned that way. I’ll let you speculate why. I have my own guesses.

One thing I do find interesting is that I did have some difficulty determining how many lanes it will have. Let’s face it, what is the point of replacing a 4 lane bridge with a 4 lane bridge. It seems to me it would simply be better to put the bridge somewhere else.

After some searching on the web, I found where they said they “hope” to make it at least 6 lanes. I have two concerns about that. Is it 6 lanes or not. More importantly, they will likely start pouring concrete soon. I would hope they have their minds made up by then.

As something as a secondary thought. Even if they are going to a 6 lane bridge, wouldn’t it be better to put it somewhere else? That way, 6 lanes are added instead of 2.

Even if the idea is to cease use of the old bridge, putting the bridge elsewhere removes the need of demolition of the old bridge. Well, the demolition isn’t likely that much anyway, just a couple of few million. I am sure the government can afford it.

Switching attention east. Just a simple straightforward suggestion on the Francis Scott Key Bridge. If they commenced tunneling, they might have been almost done now. Right now, I would guess they are over a month away from starting the foundation of the bridge.

On another note, it is really difficult for a ship to run into a tunnel.

Now What?

Posted in Uncategorized by

Sometimes things happen in real life that just can’t be imagined. I guess the one thing in my lifetime that I found unbelievable was that planes were actually running into buildings, on purpose. Really airplanes could be used as weapons for killing people, thousands?

Immediately things were changed. The world of travel has undergone a dramatic metamorphosis.

Apparently, those piloting that ship that ran into the Francis Scott Key Bridge did all they could to keep the ship from hitting the bridge, but the damage was still beyond any idea. Two days ago, ships passed back and forth under it. Today, what had been the bridge lies in a long heap, blocking sea traffic and thousands, if not millions are wondering just how they are going to get to where they need to go.

Being a person who prefers to think of the the practical aspects of a problem, I started thinking, What now?

l mean, it was a horrible thing. People died. However, immediately, there must be some thought of the future, short term and long.

I would guess getting that big barrier out of the way of the shipping is probably task one. Then maybe they need to think about the car traffic. Maybe they could find an old ferry boat or two to carry a small part of the traffic. Just how difficult would it be to put a floating bridge in.

Nonetheless, someone, or perhaps several someones will need to start long term plans. It’s well beyond my knowledge level, but whatever they plan should take into mind anything that happens might again happen. Decisions need to be made.

Perhaps plans can be made for barriers. Maybe they can choose a tunnel instead. Hard for a ship to run into a tunnel. On the other hand, the tunnel idea might take far too long.

Regardless, to someone, it is a big question, What now. I would guess, even now, there are those thinking of alternate routes.