# A four-lane bridge in Pittsburgh has collapsed just hours before Biden visits the city to talk about infrastructure **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 28, 2022, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569 "2022-01-28T14:01:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/1 "2022-01-28T14:01:09Z")
The collapse also severed a natural gas line. > **[Officials seek answers, intensify calls for change after Pittsburgh bridge...](https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2022/01/28/pittsburgh-bridge-collapse-forbes-braddock-avenue-point-breeze-squirrel-hill/stories/202201280075)** > > Hours before President Biden was to visit Pittsburgh on Friday to tout his infrastructure plan, a bridge with a troubled inspection history collapsed,... > **[Frick Park Bridge Collapse: 10 People Injured, 4 Sent To Hospital](https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/frick-park-bridge-collapse-injuries-reported-emergency-crews-at-the-scene/)** > > Ten people suffered minor injuries when a bridge collapsed in Point Breeze early Friday morning. From the first article: > The cause of the collapse is under investigation. The bridge was most recently inspected in September, city officials said, but it was not immediately clear if there were any issues discovered during that inspection. Here’s how the bridge would normally appear: https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=%213m2%212sen%214v0%216m8%211m7%211sAF1QipOo2b4Q0HN8PsGPiK%212m2%211d40.438884%212d-79.9001892%213f352.81%214f10.323%215f0.75 ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/2 "2022-01-28T14:12:57Z")
I can only assume Biden and his writers are frantically rewording today’s speech. He couldn’t have asked for a better ‘see, I told you so’ example if he had planned it. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/3 "2022-01-28T14:15:25Z")
Are you sure the demoNcrats didn’t blow it up? Look for thermite! Connect the dot! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/4 "2022-01-28T14:18:21Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I can only assume Biden and his writers are **frantically rewording today’s speech.** He couldn’t have asked for a better ‘see, I told you so’ example if he had planned it. - Or his whole speech will consist of “See? I told you so.” \< mic drop \> ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/5 "2022-01-28T15:02:21Z")
Wow. As a kid I hiked and played all through Frick Park, including this area. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/6 "2022-01-28T15:15:38Z")
To be entirely fair, I don’t think _anyone_ is doubting that the needs exist and are urgent. After all, Trump spent his entire presidency touting “Infrastructure Week”, and did author proposals to deal with it. Sadly, he did not deliver. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/7 "2022-01-28T15:21:57Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > After all, Trump spent his entire presidency touting “Infrastructure Week”, and did author proposals to deal with it He did author proposals to deal with it? So I googled it. Yes, he did. Not a lot of money. And a lot of buzzwords. “_awarding incentives to project sponsors who demonstrate innovative funding strategies._” “_US$20 billion would be dedicated to funding ambitious, exploratory or groundbreaking projects proposed among key areas such as transportation, drinking water, energy, commercial space and broadband sectors._” > In summary, this infrastructure plan contains no real surprises from earlier leaked documents. It clearly aims to transform federal infrastructure funding, giving states and municipalities far greater responsibility, flexibility and decision-making authority while, ideally, speeding up the entire process. At the same time, no funding source has yet been identified for the US$200 billion in federal money being proposed for infrastructure. [https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2018/02/rebuilding-infrastructure-in-america.html](https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2018/02/rebuilding-infrastructure-in-america.html) ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/8 "2022-01-28T15:27:59Z")
So? What’s you point? Mine is that the needs have been universally understood for some time, and Biden doesn’t need one bridge collapsing to sell his plans to anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/9 "2022-01-28T15:31:02Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Mine is that the needs have been universally understood for some time, and Biden doesn’t need one bridge collapsing to sell his plans to anyone. Agreed. I just didn’t recall the previous guy making much effort. Biden does seem to be trying. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/10 "2022-01-28T15:57:01Z")
75 million MAGAts: “You didn’t see bridges collapsing when Trump was president!” ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/11 "2022-01-28T16:06:45Z")
We should gaslight them back and respond with “No kidding, that’s because they covered it up. There were hundreds of bridge collapses while Trump was president but you probably only watch MSM/Fox and they refused to cover it because they’re criminals, all of them.” ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/12 "2022-01-28T16:10:48Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Are you sure the demoNcrats didn’t blow it up? Look for thermite! Connect the dot! I am 100% expecting this to be a serious conspiracy theory by noon, if it isn’t already making its way around the alt-rightwebz. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/13 "2022-01-28T16:22:26Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Sadly, he did not deliver. Two weeks. He’ll have a beautiful plan, the best, in two weeks. Four, tops. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/14 "2022-01-28T16:46:15Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Four, tops. Ooh. Good call. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/joqjBAJx4ZA/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgRSg_MA8=&rs=AOn4CLCfOX5U-LzPgDQvV6wPUEQA3v7t8g "The Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joqjBAJx4ZA) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/15 "2022-01-28T16:58:43Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Are you sure the demoNcrats didn’t blow it up? Look for thermite! Connect the dot! It was cheerleaders!!! You thought it was a fight song, it was really demolition instructions! Anyone else remember “Frick-a-frack-a firecracker, sis-boom-bah {somethingsomethingsomethingsomething} rah-rah-rah!” ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/16 "2022-01-28T17:00:55Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I am 100% expecting this to be a serious conspiracy theory by noon, if it isn’t already making its way around the alt-rightwebz. I agree with you, but you have to admit, it does kind of lend itself to that. Of all the CTs, this one would require the fewest mental gymnastics for it to seem pretty plausible. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/17 "2022-01-28T17:15:25Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Of all the CTs, this one would require the fewest mental gymnastics for it to seem pretty plausible. The one exercise that no CT’er passes up is mental gymnastics. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/18 "2022-01-28T17:28:42Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > > [@Joey\_P](#): > > > > Of all the CTs, this one would require the fewest mental gymnastics for it to seem pretty plausible. > > The one exercise that no CT’er passes up is mental gymnastics. - And the dismount is _hell_ on the head. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/19 "2022-01-28T20:32:33Z")
Biden stopped by the site of the collapse on his way from the airport to Mill 19. > **['We've got to move': Bridge collapse provides backdrop for President Biden's...](https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2022/01/28/President-Biden-will-make-second-visit-of-his-presidency-to-Pittsburgh-today/stories/202201280059)** > > The second visit to Pittsburgh of Joe Biden’s presidency — this one touting his administration’s investment into the nation’s... ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569/20 "2022-01-28T20:34:15Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > > > Are you sure the demoNcrats didn’t blow it up? Look for thermite! Connect the dot! > > I am 100% expecting this to be a serious conspiracy theory by noon, if it isn’t already making its way around the alt-rightwebz. It was literally the first thing I read other than a news story. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-four-lane-bridge-in-pittsburgh-has-collapsed-just-hours-before-biden-visits-the-city-to-talk-about-infrastructure/958569.md?page=2)