NTSB on Fern Hollow Bridge Collapse

Spoiler alert: it could have been prevented

Author

Trip Edwards
February 22, 2024

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Fern Hollow Bridge collapse, courtesy of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Headline: NTSB releases initial findings on Fern Hollow Bridge collapse; negligence and ineffective oversight to blame.

So What: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) asserts that the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in January 2022 on the east side of Pittsburgh, PA, which caused severe injuries to commuters, could have been prevented. The NTSB deems the bridge should have been closed due to its deteriorating condition, highlighting a failure in addressing known issues.

Map of Pittsburgh, courtesy of Google.

Under the Surface: NTSB inspection records spanning from 2005 to 2022 indicate a cascade of problems and repeated warnings that went unheeded by city officials. The bridge's deterioration, attributed to a clogged water drainage system that exacerbated corrosion, could have been prevented with regular maintenance. The use of temporary steel cables as a quick fix in 2009 instead of critical repairs further underscores the city's inadequate response.

Its conditions dictated that it should have been closed.

Dan Walsh, structural engineer at the NTSB

The comprehensive investigation by the NTSB reveals that both city and state bridge inspection programs were deemed "ineffective" and non-compliant with federal and industry standards. Oversight of the inspection regime was found to be "insufficient," contributing to the tragic collapse. The report emphasizes a lack of action on maintenance recommendations over a decade, ultimately resulting in the bridge's poor condition.

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Net, Net: The Fern Hollow Bridge collapse was avoidable, with the NTSB pointing to a decade-long neglect of maintenance recommendations by local officials and ineffective inspection programs. The findings underscore the need for improved oversight and prompt action in addressing infrastructure issues to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Go Deeper with NTSB’s investigation here.

The Industry Scoop

  • Funding now flowing to prevent roadway injuries. The Federal Highway Administration has allocated $110 million in grants for 19 wildlife crossing projects across 17 states to reduce collisions between vehicles and wildlife. Projects include a $24.3 million grant for a wildlife crossing in Wyoming, a $22 million overpass on I-25 in Colorado, an $8 million overpass in Montana, an $8 million project in Santa Barbara County, California, and three underpasses on U.S. Highway 89 in Utah, aiming to enhance road safety and protect both motorists and animals. (Source: Civil & Structural Engineer Media)

  • IIJA may increase transportation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Climate advocates express concerns over the potential increase in transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions due to the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). An analysis by Transportation for America suggests that current spending trends, with a significant portion allocated to highway expansion and resurfacing, may contribute over 69 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2040. The delay in transitioning to electric vehicles, as anticipated in a revision to the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed emissions regulation, further complicates the decarbonization efforts outlined in the IIJA. Critics argue that a shift towards effective spending on roadway repair, public transit, and sustainable infrastructure would better support decarbonization goals. (Source: Construction Dive)

  • Potomac Tunnel project underway: CBNA, Halmar, COWI, & Hatch join forces. CBNA, Halmar, COWI, and Hatch have formed a partnership to undertake the design-build contract for the $819 million Potomac River Tunnel (PRT) construction, marking the largest-ever awarded contract by DC Water. The 5.5-mile-long tunnel is a crucial component of the Clean Rivers Project, aimed at improving water quality in the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and Rock Creek, and is expected to reduce combined sewer overflows to the Potomac River by 93% during typical rainfall years. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2030.

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