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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter to BOS - Concern for Bridge Safety BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 6, 2009 APS 2 Q 2009 Dear Commissioners: OROVILL , CALIFORNIA I am enclosing information about the development and use of a unique method for increasing the load carrying capacity of aged steel truss bridges economically and expeditiously with no extended interruptions of bridge traffic. This method will allow today's traffic loads safely. Also, disputes between those interested in the safety and engineering needs of truss bridges and those interested in historic preservation can be resolved. Even with the recent stimulus appropriations of$29 billion for road and bridge infrastructure construction and improvements, there will not be enough funding to repair most structurally deficient bridges, not to mention the additional costs of newly planned bridges. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn DOT) alone estimates that upwards of$11 billion will be needed to repair its 5,935 structurally-deficient bridges in the Commonwealth. Lack of funding and delaying improvements on these unsafe bridges will risk the public safety and also the economic climate. If you find interest in learning about our unique method of truss bridge strengthening, we would be happy to discuss it with you.. As a side note, the tragic collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis collapsed on August 1, 2007, killing 13 people and injuring 145, may have been prevented if this deck truss bridge was reinforced with our method of reinforcement. I was interviewed on August 1, 2007 for the evening news by an NBC affiliate in Chicago, and in the news I declared that the collapse was due to failures of joints in the deck truss bridge. My declaration was confirmed in the November 8, 2008 Final Report by the National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB). S P.E., Ph.Dth Street Lewisburg, PA 17837 Phone: 570-577-33 9 1(or 1112) (Office) 570-570-3500 (Residence) 570-490-7811 (Mobile) E-mail:jaikim@bucknell.edu [Professor of Civil Engineering Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA 178371 0 !!l:::--- ill y• '•. �•.. '. •Y�•.r�- ��� '�f •.s�'��.r;'If,-.:?�.�?:'fit:` � •:iT�#�^ fcrr' i y 4 •I .�r ..' ; WARNING ROAD lf POUND 1.PER HOU 230 ft. Truss Bridge With an Weight Limt, Carroll County, 1 1 r I.I •N 1.I �♦. Arch-keinforced Truss Bridge With 36-ton -i-,'-,- Carroll County, 1 Y� �a {0Y"L64Z A313? I F: m m Zi"OC+Qpy LS `11�� Owing -AM) Ym w ` O r r o F d I = (00VOW Got +LP4 YJ 42. . d 0 � I V $d a� (99•069t'AM Iw -K •r I w � . d b y • ri oo jE lit .I o A kwaw A313) a � sC'LL+iQ9 1S �j ---�-�6i � •a d dd °°arm DODO C y� (olvesz snap n ti Ze'LQ+M V S pppbe gd own c �rs Yd (monz nate / � OWN oN 00M* 31 43 gm I p � 1. m p �b g4 bbl �${� % all 10 d" c f%I pP v 11 in! Z jNj PGa ; .ge P I ix" I g .!5� F6 ILI i4 t F C Na� € d� E i S Mi y� I � all # I Jilld 11481011 gg � YYY �W•, a h I way a ay a gi U Q p5;15 S mi wriclwn3tl 3B QL Nwmu 01 } . ' tl C4 bIRSS2�i8F8FZ �E hs 'rW*11SM'jK NOUL" - � b i :1 0 � W r8 14 NV I I xi X33 � • ._-_-_-----_- W=.q-Ft J�yM7d . ............ LECTURE 7APR 2 0 2ppg © vl PLANNING, DESIGN AND RESTORATION OF MSTORIC STUYVES L1FC)a1V14 FALLS BRIDGE Professor Jai B. Kim112 ABSTRACT This paper describes the political and engineering strategies involved with the rehabilitation and upgrading of an historic 202-feet long Camelback truss bridge in Stuyvesant Falls (Columbia County), New York. As with most truss bridges, this bridge was a non-redundant, bachurrcritical structure, i.e. iailtme of one joint (or connection)or one tension member in a multiple memberroint truss structure would cause a total collapse of the bridge.The truss bridge was therefore scheduled to be replaced by The New York Stage Department of Transportation MYSDOT).However,the people of Stuyvesant Falls petitioned NYSDOT to preserve the bridge and its historical significance. As a result, it was rehabilitated and upgraded with ferleW fiords at a cost much lower than that of replacement.. Of York 1996 k and The 7997 Annual Awards Co-authored with Mansour Aghili-Nasab„ P.E., Engineer-in-Charge, New York State Department of Transportation ghkeepsie, NY and Thomas M.Mannix,P.E.,Regional Structures Engineer,New York State Department of Transportation.Poum9air psre.NY. z Presented at the 1994 Spring Seminar. NEW LIFE FOR OLD STRUCTURES-REHAB„RETROFIT, EXPANSION at the American Society of Civil Engineermetropolitan section,United Engineering Center,New York City,May 9,1994. Professor Jai B.Kim L7-1 1997 ANNUAL AWARDS GOVERNMENT CHAMPIONS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION The 1997 awards of the Preservation League of New York State honor the work of government in historic preservation. As this year's awards demonstrate,village boards,town supervisors,county planners,mayors,and council members represent a strong presence in the preservation field,and are committed to preserving New York's architectural heritage,frequently going to special lengths to assure the success of a project. But as they will be the first to acknowledge,government's role in historic preservation is most effective through partnerships with other public agencies,local preservation groups,and concerned citizens. The Preservation League has long encouraged partnerships between the private and public sectors,and has played a major role in bringing together strong coalitions to advance historic preservation across the state. Where partnersMps exist,the results can be spectacular. For examp1%among Us , nvince state and county ag=ies LQ save . In East Hampton,the Village Trustees worked closely with property owners to create an historic district that reflected citizens concerns. And in Essex County,several preservation groups were established through the encouragement and guidance of County Planner,William Johnston. A number of the projects honored this year received legal advice,technical assistance,and financial support from the Preservation League. For example,the League funded historic structures reports for Camp Santanoni and provided legal advice to the Village of Homer to draft a local preservation law. But ultimately,it was the bard work and perseverance of the award winners that made the projects possible. We are proud to salute them all as government champions,and hope-that their accomplishments and spirit of cooperation will inspire other government entities across New York State to take up the torch for historic preservation. The Preservation League would like to thunk the members of the Awards committee for their dedicated service and discerning judgment in selecting the 1997Award Winners. David W.Beer,John P.Grady,Marilynn G. Karp,Robert J. Kressee,Alexia Lalli,Paul Segal,Gilbert T. Vincent,Arete Swartz Warren,.and Wendy E Feuer, Chair. STUYVESANT FALLS TOWN BOARD OF STUYVESANT, NEW YORK When cracks were found in the support beams of the Stuyvesant Falls Bridge in 1229,state and county officials proposed replacing the historic crossing with a new,two-lane steel and concrete briuge. Residents of Stuyvesant Falls opposed the plan,and struck out to find a solution to save the iron truss bridge that has spanned Kinderhook Creek since 1889. The answer came in the form of arch reinforcement technology,developed by Dr. Professor Jai B. Kim L7-2