WDB
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Posts: 7,425 
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Post by WDB on Aug 15, 2018 6:02:35 GMT
Anyone else who’s done a long motorway journey recently have a little inner cringe about this? I can’t guess how many of these I’ve driven across with no more thought than ‘Oooh, nice view that way!’
Horrible.
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Post by dixinormus on Aug 15, 2018 7:32:13 GMT
Astounded to see that it wasn't just a span that collapsed, but a whole support pylon. Can't believe that any kind of basic inspection in the past wouldn't have identified the potential issue. Earthquake damage, saltwater corrosion in the maritime air, or just he sheer weight of greater traffic flows,... there must have been some warning signs before it collapsed, surely?
That entire stretch of motorway from the French border heading east is made up of dozens of impressive bridges, viaducts and tunnels. I guess They'll be out inspecting the rest of the network asap.
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WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,425
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Post by WDB on Aug 15, 2018 8:04:17 GMT
A journalist with New Civil Engineer (which I remember my dad subscribing to) told R4 this morning that the mafia were heavily involved in the supply of concrete at the time the bridge was built, and liked to make their own decisions on how much cement should be in the mix.
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Post by dixinormus on Aug 15, 2018 8:21:08 GMT
...Or they sourced inferior quality cheap rebar made from Chinese steel I suppose. (As happened for a new motorway build here in NZ a couple of years ago). Corruption is endemic in most countries I guess.
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Post by Humph on Aug 15, 2018 8:27:39 GMT
I have to drive to Milan in September, visions of them closing all the bridges...😕
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2018 9:50:19 GMT
Apparently the local authorities were aware it needed repair but are blaming the EU for restricting their spending or some such bollocks, meaning they were delaying the necessary work. Completely ignoring the fact they could have closed it or restricted what crossed it if they were concerned about it but couldn't afford to fix it.
Who had 12 hours in the "let's blame the EU" sweepstake?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2018 14:37:05 GMT
I don't get the Mafia concrete story. If it was that bad, it would have failed early on. I reckon its simply poor inspection and maintenance regimes, exacerbated by very bad weather and a minor tremble caused by lightening or an earthquake.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2018 14:40:50 GMT
The Italians used to get shit steel from the USSR for their cars in the 60s/70s. Maybe they got bad concrete from them too.
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