# Breaking News - I5 Bridge Collapse North of Seattle **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 24, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190 "2013-05-24T02:58:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2013, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/61 "2013-05-25T12:58:32Z")
There’s [web cam footage](http://www.king5.com/news/skagit-river-bridge/Report-I-5-bridge-collapses-over-Skagit-River-cars-in-water-208758631.html) from a nearby RV dealership of the collapse. Unfortunately: 1. This link, King5, plays an ad. 2. It’s a web cam: low resolution and crappy frame rate. The bridge is there and then it’s gone. 3. It’s a screen capture of somebody showing the video, not the actual video itself. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/62 "2013-05-25T19:50:27Z")
I live about two hours south of there and have been over that bridge quite a number of times. My thought is that it’s going to cost a lot to replace, but it’s a bridge that’s out-lived it’s lifespan already, and if all it took to collapse it was a knock from a truck, then maybe this is actually a \*good \*outcome. Nobody died, and maybe something worse was averted, like it collapsing with more traffic on a holiday weekend. I won’t be going to Bellingham or Canada anytime soon, though. As I understand it, the truck needed a wide-load permit to cross the bridge. What I don’t get is why either state patrol or local cops weren’t there to halt traffic and let the truck go down the middle. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/63 "2013-05-26T00:30:25Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > There’s already a temporary bridge. It’s a four-lane local bridge right next to the damaged bridge, and there are interchanges close to both sides. The area is built up on both sides of the freeway, so I don’t know if it would be possible to build the approaches for another bridge. No, the work around isn’t, A. a temporary bridge, or B. interchanges close to the damaged bridge. The work around is causing long back up. After NTSB evaluates the safety of the remaining parts, they hope to bring in a [Bailey Bridge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailey_bridge) until repairs can be done. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/64 "2013-05-26T01:35:37Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > One advantage of this design was that the damage was limited to one section. It’s essentially a series of bridges. So instead of the entire 1,000 foot span going for a swim, it was just the one segment. > > The husband of the woman had a dislocated shoulder which he popped back into place before attending to his wife because that’s just how we roll in the PNW! But instead of going to all the expense and time of repairing this shaky old bridge, why not copy a new bridge that’s done or close to it. We have one here that goes from San Francisco across the estuary to the East Bay that’s pretty close to finished. A huge part of the expense of building a bridge is done. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/65 "2013-05-26T15:06:57Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I won’t be going to Bellingham or Canada anytime soon, though. 'But mom! The Birch Bay water slides are open! ☹ ’ The SO noted that there seems to be fewer people here this unofficial start of Summer. ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/66 "2013-05-26T15:51:00Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > But instead of going to all the expense and time of repairing this shaky old bridge, why not copy a new bridge that’s done or close to it. > We have one here that goes from San Francisco across the estuary to the East Bay that’s pretty close to finished. A huge part of the expense of building a bridge is done. > Peace, > mangeorge My point was that risk to life and limb was limited because only that one section failed. I expect that the entire bridge will be replaced, not just that section. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/67 "2013-05-29T15:35:41Z")
Monday was a holiday, and yesterday was a telecommuting day. Today was my first venture around the collapsed bridge. I got off the southbound 5 at 0607, and got back on the freeway past the collapse at 0611. Four minutes. Unfortunately, there was a jack-knifed, burning truck in downtown Seattle, so it took me three hours to get to the office. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/68 "2013-05-29T15:48:28Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Monday was a holiday, and yesterday was a telecommuting day. Today was my first venture around the collapsed bridge. > > I got off the southbound 5 at 0607, and got back on the freeway past the collapse at 0611. Four minutes. > > Unfortunately, there was a jack-knifed, burning truck in downtown Seattle, so it took me three hours to get to the office. Talk about irony. But how was the traffic volume? mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/69 "2013-05-29T16:00:01Z")
Volume through Mt. Vernon was light. Seattle… Not so much. It usually gets backed up nearing the 5/405 interchange, and continues fairly slow until Northgate. ‘Typical morning back-ups’, they call it on the local Public Radio station. This morning there was a FedEx semi that had jack-knifed and caught fire on the 5 ‘mainline’ downtown. I usually take the express lanes (these are different from HOV lanes). Since the main freeway was completely blocked from about 0530 or so, until I got to the office (I don’t know if they’ve cleared any lanes yet), the announcer was advising people to take the express lanes. Of course, that puts more pressure on the express lanes and creates a back-up there. And they were reporting a new collision in the express lanes, and saying there were others behind it. So they said the 99 might be an option. I took that. (Used cars, motels, and porn shops. What a nice part of the city!) I have a feeling I’d have gotten through more quickly, had I taken the express lanes. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2013, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/70 "2013-06-08T14:06:28Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Monday was a holiday, and yesterday was a telecommuting day. Today was my first venture around the collapsed bridge. > > I got off the southbound 5 at 0607, and got back on the freeway past the collapse at 0611. Four minutes. I’m not from that area and next month will be driving through that stretch as I head north on I-5 from Seattle to Vancouver. “That stretch” is I-5 over the Skagit River in Burlington, right? I’ll be passing through either late on a Friday night after a 1910 Mariners game, or early the next morning. Will I be fine taking the standard detour(s)? And, what is the northbound routing of the detour? Is it the bridge on Riverside Drive, just east of I-5? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/71 "2013-06-08T14:22:07Z")
Not sure of the name of the bridge, but yes; it’s the bridge just east of the one on the 5. Traffic is light when I drive through in the morning, going south; four to eight minutes. Coming home in the afternoon around 1800, traffic is heavier. It’s stopped on the freeway. Plan on about 20 minutes or so at that time of day. Later, it will probably be lighter. You should be fine taking the short detour. I haven’t tried taking the 9, but it seems like a long way round. KPLU reported yesterday morning that the 5 should re-open by the last week of June. I can only glance at the bridge as I drive by, since my attention is on traffic. I did see some girders extending about halfway from the north end yesterday afternoon. I don’t know if that was part of a new roadway, or if it had some other purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/72 "2013-06-08T14:36:19Z")
Cool, it might not even be an issue in 4 weeks, then. Thanks for the info, even if the replacement bridge isn’t open yet it sounds like I’ll be okay. I figure it’ll be around 2200 on a Fri night when I’ll be going through there. BTW, Google Maps is calling that road S. Burlington Blvd (north of the river) and Riverside Drive south of the river. It’s just east of I-5. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/73 "2013-09-18T18:49:06Z")
An update on the bridge replacement: Speed Slide: Replacement for Collapsed Washington State Span Moved Into Place > **[Speed Slide: Replacement for Collapsed Washington State Span Moves Into Place](https://www.enr.com/articles/5392-speed-slide-replacement-for-collapsed-washington-state-span-moves-into-place)** > > Related Links: Time-Lapse Video of Skagit Bridge Replacement Oregon Bridge Truss Travels On Teflon-Coated Tracks Time was of the essence: It was even built into the bidding process as a key factor in the $8.5-million project to replace the collapsed... ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/74 "2013-09-18T19:52:05Z")
Pure cool. Thanks. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/75 "2013-09-18T20:52:24Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Of course they keep inspection records. I pulled the Washington NBI file from the web and their 2012 data shows the bridge was inspected in August 2010. It would have been inspected in 2012 since it’s on a 24 month cycle but that wouldn’t appear on that file. The superstructure was rated 5 at that time, not a great score but nothing to be alarmed about. > > The term functionally obsolete is itself obsolete. The new highway bill, MAP-21, dispenses with that terminology. Basically the algorithm looks at the clearances compared to the traffic and functional class of the roadway and computes evaluations for deck geometry and underclearance and those go into the FO computation. Again, it has nothing to do with the structural adequacy (indeed, a bridge cannot be functionally obsolete if it is structurally deficient, SD trumps FO, or it used to anyway). > > Don’t get excited about the sufficiency rating. The FSR calculation includes many functional type data items in its computation and the widths and clearances likely accounted for most if not all of the points it lost. Even the FSR doesn’t mean much anymore, it used to be that a bridge had to have \<50 points to qualify for replacement money, and \<80 points to qualify for rehab money. Again, MAP-21 does away with those requirements. Whew! Thank Og the bridge is still safe despite the rating! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190/76 "2013-09-18T21:41:25Z")
Is this the permanent bridge or just a temporary solution? > [@PastTense](#): > > An update on the bridge replacement: > Speed Slide: Replacement for Collapsed Washington State Span Moved Into Place > [http://enr.construction.com/infrastructure/transportation/2013/0917-speed-slide-replacement-for-collapsed-washington-state-span-moves-into-place.asp](http://enr.construction.com/infrastructure/transportation/2013/0917-speed-slide-replacement-for-collapsed-washington-state-span-moves-into-place.asp) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-i5-bridge-collapse-north-of-seattle/659190.md?page=3)