PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — There’s a push to stop tragedy from occurring once more.
It’s been one yr because the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore. This week, the Nationwide Transportation Security Board launched a brand new report that evaluated the protection of different bridges all through the nation.
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The NTSB introduced Maryland authorities missed essential security evaluations to find out the bridge’s vulnerability to a collision.
“What we’re telling bridge homeowners is that they should know the chance and decide what actions they should take to make sure security,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy mentioned Thursday.
The company is now drawing consideration to 68 iconic bridges nationwide that want pressing danger assessments, together with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
“I’ve confidence within the folks that may observe up and test on it to verify issues are as protected as they are often,” mentioned Evelyn Campbell.
The Skyway Bridge connects Pinellas and Manatee counties.
Nevertheless, the historical past of the bridge comes with haunting recollections for a lot of.
On the morning of Could 9, 1980, the Summit Enterprise hit the Skyway Bridge and induced a catastrophic collapse, just like what occurred to the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
“We had been right here,” mentioned John Crescitelli. “It was scary. It was scary.”
Thirty-five folks died when the Skyway Bridge collapsed.
“We by no means need any lives misplaced,” mentioned Campbell. “That was a horrible tragedy that occurred.”
It took years to design and assemble a brand new bridge over Tampa Bay.
The Sunshine Skyway collapsed in 1980, however a brand new bridge didn’t open till 1987.
“It’s a gorgeous construction and only a marvel to us that now we have it,” mentioned Crescitelli.
The Florida Division of Transportation launched an announcement following the Francis Scott Key bridge final yr.
The company says quite a lot of new security options had been constructed into the brand new Sunshine Skyway Bridge to stop an identical tragedy. The total assertion is under.
“Particularly, quite a few security enhancements have been carried out on the Skyway Bridge to safeguard in opposition to collisions. These measures embrace elevating the bridge, widening the channel, and incorporating two layers of safety for bridge piers. Most notably, options reminiscent of ‘Dolphins,’ which function bodily limitations in addition to rock islands that utterly encompass the primary channel helps and go all the best way to the ocean ground. Moreover, Florida maintains steady coordination with numerous stakeholders, together with native legislation enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and seaport authorities, to make sure complete security measures are in place.”
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