Bridge collapse in Pittsburgh

[Skinhead]

I don't know how many of you travel to Pennsylvania, but I was born and raised in western PA.  I still have family there, so I visit often.  I thought of moving back there when I retired, but the corrupt politicians there have pretty much ruined the state.  I try to fill up with gas before I leave Ohio as the gas tax in PA is $0.50 a gallon more than in OH.  It looks like the politicians are stealing all of that, because they sure as hell aren't spending it on the roads and bridges.  It's a damn shame.





prior to collapse


Temporary repair/band aid.  This bridge was built in the 70's.

[0leman]

it seems to me that something was wrong in the construction of that bridge.  Thats only 50 years ago.  It should have been still sound.  Lots of bridges built before then are still in good shape. 

[Jess from VA]

That bridge heard Joe was coming and wanted to remind him about the lie about infrastructure (as opposed to vote buying).

And the roads in MI are also wonderful.  I drive up to see my people and the washboard roads and potholes are the worst I've ever seen.  Jars the teeth and the suspension.  Course, all states that get the full Monty winter have road trouble.

[old2soon]

      Most of Illinois was clapped out BEFORE I left in 78. And it ain't got no better atall. Oh wait-Another democratic stronghold! Illinois-home of the best politician's money can buy-ask those still in jail.  RIDE SAFE. P S remember 44 was a low level Chicago politician.

[3fan4life]

Saw this yesterday, my first thought was that it was a helluva coincidence that it collapsed on the same day that Biden was headed to PA to give a speech about infrastructure.

Somethings just make you go Hmmmmmm.

[old2soon]

Saw this yesterday, my first thought was that it was a helluva coincidence that it collapsed on the same day that Biden was headed to PA to give a speech about infrastructure.

Somethings just make you go Hmmmmmm.

            WHAT you Suspect skullduggery from a prominent political type?  Heavens ta murgatroyd tell me it ain't so!  RIDE SAFE.

[Moonshot_1]

Saw this yesterday, my first thought was that it was a helluva coincidence that it collapsed on the same day that Biden was headed to PA to give a speech about infrastructure.

Somethings just make you go Hmmmmmm.

Hillary missed. This time.

[RP#62]

What Mr Skinhead said.  I lived in Pittsburgh for 17 years.  When we first moved there they were just finished rebuilding one of the I-79 overpasses in Washington PA.  About ten years later, they were rebuilding it again because of "quality" issues with the first rebuild.  Whenever we left the state on motorcycle rides, regardless of what road we came back in on, I could tell we were back in PA with my eyes closed because of the crappy condition of the road.  We often heard that its because of the heavy truck traffic, but as far as I know, other states have trucks too, and their roads are fine.  We also heard well, its because of the winter freeze/thaw cycles, but again, as far as I know winter weather also acts on the roads in adjacent states, and their roads are fine.  We used to say that evidently they train people to do road work in PA and then ship them to other states once they start to get proficient.  I don't know if they still have it, but when we were there, there was a pot hole hot line.  It wasn't so much to actually fix the roads, it was more to make you think there was hope.  I read a story once that a lady on the north side called the pot hole hot line to complain about a big pothole on the road in front of her house that had screwed up her car's alignment.  Pendot sent a crew out to have a look.  A supervisor took several pictures and measurements then called another crew out.  They spent the rest of the day there evidently discussing the best course of action, and then erected a sign that said "BUMP".  I don't know if based on the measurements it didn't meet the state guidelines on potholes or what.  They have no excuses on bridges, there is (or was) lots of bridge expertise in Western PA.  Western PA companies have built bridges all over the country.  The town of Ambridge, just up the river from Pittsburgh was named for the American Bridge company located there.

-RP

[Jess from VA]

I've always thought that the quality of roads in any state was directly proportional to how much vote buying that state does with it's money. 

[semo97]

C4

[Valkorado]

Saw this yesterday, my first thought was that it was a helluva coincidence that it collapsed on the same day that Biden was headed to PA to give a speech about infrastructure.

Somethings just make you go Hmmmmmm.

I was thinking the same.  Helluva coinkidink.  "Justifies" his urgent need for $pending the big bucks.

[cookiedough]

      Most of Illinois was clapped out BEFORE I left in 78. And it ain't got no better atall. Oh wait-Another democratic stronghold! Illinois-home of the best politician's money can buy-ask those still in jail.  RIDE SAFE. P S remember 44 was a low level Chicago politician.

Not saying WI roads are in much better shape, but Illinois roads overall are in worse shape than nearby WI's.  Where does all those IL toll booth money go towards?  WI does not have toll booths something I am proud of since I avoid IL toll booths like the plague trying to go around them even if further mileage drive. 

[Skinhead]

If you read the posts on Facebook about this bridge collapse, it is hilarious how many liberal dems are say the collapse is the Republicans fault for not passing Biden's infrastructure bill and BBB bill.   There was very little actual infrastructure spending in the original bill, and I don't know if that was increased and the pork reduced in the bill that those morons didn't know WAS passed.

 

[old2soon]

      Most of Illinois was clapped out BEFORE I left in 78. And it ain't got no better atall. Oh wait-Another democratic stronghold! Illinois-home of the best politician's money can buy-ask those still in jail.  RIDE SAFE. P S remember 44 was a low level Chicago politician.

Not saying WI roads are in much better shape, but Illinois roads overall are in worse shape than nearby WI's.  Where does all those IL toll booth money go towards?  WI does not have toll booths something I am proud of since I avoid IL toll booths like the plague trying to go around them even if further mileage drive. 

         I've found-go figure-that the US Highways or the Illinois Routes that parallel the toll roads are sometimes in better shape than the toll roads. And some of those little towns the toll road avoids have better food and fuel a couple cents cheaper. When I do visit Ross and BonBon I AVOID like the plague anything resembling a toll road. RIDE SAFE.

[Skinhead]

I do a lot of traveling from Motown to Pittsburgh.  I never take the Ohio/Pa turnpike.  1) because of traffic and construction, speed limit drops to 45 or 55 in construction zones, nobody does the limit in the CZs, but I don't need a ticket either, 2) because I rarely make stops other than for fuel, but like to stop if and when I like, not in some over crowded service plaza.  3) the $20 goes toward gas.  4) the toll road only saves about an hour travel time, 5) if I'm on the bike I take the scenic route which is another hour longer, but MUCH more enjoyable driving.

[Jess from VA]

DC to Motown is about twice as far as from Pittsburgh, and that trip takes between 9 and 10 hours as it is, and alternate routes take much more than one extra hour.  And it takes me about 2.5 hours to get to the Breezewood PA turnpike entrance ramp. 

That road has been under construction at many places (like 10) for decades (with long slowdowns and traffic bottlenecks) in both PA and OH, but it is noteworthy how much worse it is in PA than in OH (though elevation changes in PA are many, and OH is mostly flat as a pancake).  With federal money for the turnpike, you'd think PA would eventually catch up with OH, but they never do. 

I do not love that road, and the toll goes up every year (nearing $20 one way), but it remains the best shortest long day drive for me (when the only goal is to get there, I've seen the sights many times). 

I did it on the bike 3-4 times round trips, but the truck doesn't mind the rain and heat/cold and only needs one gas stop, and I only hit the gas pump and not the food courts.  And I can sleep and pee in the truck if I need to (using a porta-urinal).

I've used (borrowed) a top notch radar detector on that trip many times, and it helps, but the 50 false positives from radar on trucks and signs made me get tired of it, so I use cruise control 4-5 over the limit and have no problem.

And I could afford to fly, but TSA and airline travel piss me off much more than the turnpike.

[Skinhead]

And I could afford to fly, but TSA and airline travel piss me off much more than the turnpike.

I'm planning on heading to NOLA next weekend and staying with my son for a while.  I hate to fly, looked into fares, Spirit had a non-stop one way from DTW for ~$30!!!  But bags are $40 each, and you have to wear a mask the whole way, plus security and all the other BS.  Snuggle them, I'll drive.  It'll cost more in time and gas, but I'll do what I want and probably not strangle some A-hole on the way down.

[Jess from VA]

Some years ago, the wife and I flew to a Caribbean island in winter.

Best deal was a Canadian charter.  She had a small fever (cold) and made the mistake of checking her jacket and the cabin was freezing, so she was bundled up in two of those tiny airline baby blankets.

At the ready for takeoff and stow all gear speech, the stu insisted she give up her little blankets.  I said no, what are they going to do, blow up and cover the pilot's eyes, or cause someone a head trauma?  And she said give them up or get thrown off the plane.  I explained her cold and fever, and then the stu said maybe she was too sick to fly.  So the wife threw the blankets in her face, and off we went.  

I get so sick of tiny coach seats, I always got up and tried to help the stus with dishes and trash (or anything, often with appreciation), but after 911 you can't be out of your seat anywhere near DC, so they marched me back to my seat as a possible terrorist in training.

A tiny luggage key somehow got into my pants cuff, setting off the metal detector multiple times, and I got everything but the public strip search (with 4 guys), until we found it.

We got stuck on the ground in a small commuter turboprop running up to NYC for an overseas flight.  Dead of summer and the cabin went up over a 100 with no AC and one lady passed out.  And then there was a near mutiny as they would not open the cabin door for fresh air, and people demanded to be let off the plane after two hours of brutal cooking and sweating in near panic.  

When you baaa like a sheep in all the lines at the airport, they get hostile about it.  

They can suck my foot.  



 

[Skinhead]

you forgot     long

[Skinhead]

I love my hometown, even if the politicians suck and the bridges collapse (the later is a result of the former).



photo by Brodie Bard photography

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https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2022/01/pittsburgh_bridges_2016_infrastructure_funding_reportedly_diverted_to_bike_lanes_and_green_energy_programs.html