Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Irondequoit Bay Bridge

I just drove over this bridge today, and will admit that I do think about the Minnesota bridge collapse every time I go over it. When I got home I was reading our local newspaper and there was an article in it that said...

"(September 11, 2007) — Five of the 49 deck truss bridges in New York, including the Irondequoit Bay Bridge, were found to have some minor structural defects after recent inspections triggered by the Minneapolis bridge collapse on Aug. 1.

None of the defects was serious enough to close the bridges, state officials said.

The New York State Bridge Task Force was asked to inspect the state's 49 truss bridges and report to Gov. Eliot Spitzer within 30 days.

Among the findings:

The Irondequoit Bay Bridge received a "yellow flag" for single, hairline cracks in two concrete pedestals on top of the bridge piers and a "safety flag" because of damage to a concrete barrier that probably was caused by a vehicle hitting it. Both issues are being reviewed for future repair."

We go over this bridge quite often as it is very close to our home. Knowing there is some damage to it makes me a wee bit nervous.

12 comments:

judi/Gmj said...

Are you able to use an alternate bridge? I'd use a ferry!

Rachel said...

It's the fastest way to get to where I was going today, but I guess I could take the roundabout way. But then again, am I just thinking too much? I mean...what are the chances that it's going to collapse?

Tracy said...

It's really long, isn't it? I imagine that I would feel a bit nervous going over it, but I would probably keep using it. Ultimately, God is in control and doesn't want us to be living in fear and worry over these things.

Martha said...

One big difference between the Bay Bridge and the Minneapolis is that there is no strong current running beneath. Of course, I seldom venture farther west than Bay Rd in Webster. Maybe I would take the alternate route, but then isn't that where the huge tree landed on a car two years ago?

I agree with Tracy that God is in control and doesn't want us living in fear or worry. I'll still be taking the bridge when it comes time for a trip into Rochester.

Bethany said...

It is the fastest way from here to there, so we'll keep using it too. Empire is going to get a lot more traffic after that article though! It reminds me of the dreams I used to have as a kid, of that bridge collapsing while we were on it and how I would survive and save my brothers and sister at the same time.

Martha said...

I never knew you dreamed those things! Maybe everybody has those scary kind of dreams, huh? I used to dream that kind of stuff too.

Rachel said...

Tracy- "God is in control and doesn't want us to worry over these things" I thought about this also, and it is such a comfort to know that my life is in God's hands and he has a purpose and a plan for whatever happens to me. I hope his plan for me is for me to go in my sleep. Lol!

Martha- I thought about the current thing too, and yes, the other way a huge tree did fall on a woman's car a couple years ago, killing her. That was such a fluke.

Bethany- My stomach used to do somersaults going over that bridge when I was little. I used to imagine it crumbling beneath us and then falling into the water. I wasn't a very good swimmer...no visions of me saving everyone, but I think as a child you can never imagine yourself dying, so when you imagine dangerous things happening you always somehow make it through.

Martha said...

That is a cool picture of the bridge. You can see where years ago (when we were little) they planned for another exit off to the north in Irondiquoit. The residents banded together and fought it, thus there is no exit there. I remember it being blockaded when I was a little girl.

Kim said...

I had a bridge collapse dream as a kid too. But I think it was because I was afraid of drowning. When the 35W bridge collapsed, I was a little freaked out when going over bridges. I'd try to get to the end as fast as possible.

kristina said...

I am glad that the accident is causing other bridges to be examined. Maybe it will save lives.

The other night I was stuck in traffic in construction on a bridge. I could hardly stand it. I didn't really think it would fall, but it is hard not to think of what it would be like.

Gudl said...

That is a great bird eye picture though!

Priscilla said...

I rarely go over that bridge anymore since I have moved away. My route to Rochester comes in another way...and so does my route to your's and Mom & Dad's houses. I never feared going over it as a kid...and I don't remember having dreams either. I spent my time fearing other things.