The Mackinac Bridge, the bridge crossed over various time in my life here in Michigan.
Michiganis in the process of repairing some bridges that are publically owned;
Many, many bridges around the nation are in dire need of repairs;
...some from weight limit overages;
...some from increasing traffic that was not calculated during construction;
...some fro weather conditions;
...some from accidents where supports or driving surfaces are damaged;
...some due to anchoring problems due to land slippage or water height changes;
In a March 28th 2011 study report, 1400 Michigan Bridges are reported as "structurally deficient".
This is serious;
This can be disconcerting;
This, thus far, has NOT turned into a political blame game,. EXCEPT for;
...the latest airways 'fight' over a New Bridge to Canada
from Manuel Moroun who is the owner of the functioning Ambassador Bridge that presently links Detroit to Windsor
The facts of our MI Bridges--needing repair work can be found in articles:
In an article by Matt Helms can be found at www.freep.com / March 29, 2011 " 1,400 Michigan Bridges need fixing; spans rated 13th worst"
Matt states:
...more than 13% of MI highway bridgesare "structurally deficient";
...this number will grow as 1000s approach the 50-year life span;
...the national average is 11%;
...MI's 11,000 highway bridges are an average of 41 years old;
...185,000 U.S. bridges are 50 yrs or older.
Matt quotes the Director of MDOT -Kirk Steudle, who at a news media briefing --3/28/2011. stated that
'bridges in the category are inspected more frequently and would be closed immediately if they posed a risk to drivers'.
The statement of force is "If the bridge is open, the bridge is dafe' and " We take that very seriously".
On the www.michigan.gov Web site, if you click on the MDOT section, you will find on-going projects, completed & proposed repair work.
The site also identifies the five major crossing in Michigan:
...the three Public Owned Bridges are:
The Mackinac Bridge= connecting the "Hand" to the Island
The International Bridge= from Sault Ste Marie. Michigan to Sault Ste Marie, Canada;
the Blue Water Bridge= from Port Huron, MI to Sarnia, Canada
...The two other crossings are Private Owned:
The Ambassador Bridge = Detroit, MI to Windsor, Canada;
The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel = under the Detroit River.
The University of Michigan Engineering Forum at http://forum.engin.umich.edu/2010/01/brigdes-that-talk.html / where they
address 'that America has more than a half million bridges that are masterpieces as much a part of the American scene as are red barns, white churches of the countryside and skyscrapers that tower over large cities.,,'
They also reference the age of bridges & the fact of 'getting longer'.
U. of M. undertook a $19 M, 5-year project called "Smart-bridge"; this began 18 mo after the collapse in Minneapolis.
MDOT is partnering with U. of M. as the technologies from this project has the potential of benefiting all of us here in Michigan [ and National benefits as well]. They are developing four types of data-gathering sensors--wireless sensors.
Wireless sensors [that have already been tested in S.Korea, China and Taiwan] are the main subject of the project.
It's moving into the 3rd year of the project.
As was stated earlier, we here in Michigan are enmeshed in a 'battle' between Private Owned & Public Owned;
Normally, I am a bold advocate of all things Private-sector; NOT so this time;
...there is a proposal for a 2nd span between Canada & Michigan--a few miles past the Ambassador Bridge;
...the Ambassador Bridge was purchased 30 + years ago by Manuel "Matty" Moroun;
...Mr Moroun wants to be allowed to build a second span by the Ambassador;
...this will be the topic for future postings, as we are well into this 'fight' and soon to have a decision.
A little History on the title of post:
...The origin of the "London Bridges falling, fallen, broken down...my fair lady" is fascinating;
May relate to the difficulties experienced in bridging the River Thames.
Others speak to the "child sacrifice theory' first advanced byAlice Bertha Gomme [Lady Gomme] in her writings around 1894-
that referenced the primitive cultures who believed a 'bridge would collapse unless the body of a human sacrifice
were buried in its foundation.'
NO archaeological evidenceof any human codies in the foundations of the London Bridge.
...the 'Fair Lady', 'lady gay' or lady 'lee/lea of the rhyme may refer to:
Matilda of Scotland [1080-1118] who between 1110-1118 was responsible for the building of the series of
bridges that carried the London Colchester road across the river Lea...
...Eleanor of Provence [1223-1201] who had custody of the bridge revenues from 1260-1281;
...a member of the Leigh family of Stonleigh Park, Warickshire, who have the family tradition hat a human sacrifice
lies under the building.
...Walt Disney proposed in "The Truth About Mother Goose" [1957] refers to the deterioration of the
original London Bridge [built 1176--due to age & the Great Firs of London of 1666.
He writes that the original bridge was demolished on 4 July 1833 at the same time, the royal assent
to build the new / now London Bridge. reference to: http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Timeline1820_1829.htm#1823
...Perhaps we need to learn about the "Nursery Rhymes-Games" of childhood.
[Had such a class in College--along with the study of "Olde English words & spelling]
I will leave you with a Photo-collage taken at the Blue Water Bridge on a trip to Port Huron in 2008.
Taken on the Michigan side near the Thomas Edison Inn & Depot.
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