Water-Damaged Bridges Keep Collapsing: What We Can Do to Stop It
On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore, killing six workers and highlighting the worsening condition of the nation's bridges. Less than five months later, a highway bridge in China collapsed, killing 38, showing that compromised bridge structures aren't just an American problem. Thankfully, engineering solutions are available for this problem, with companies like Roxtec and others working hard to keep people safe from this real danger. How Bridges Get Damaged By Water Engineers design bridges to resist water-related damage for decades and even centuries. However, minor flaws in these plans or issues with the material can compromise a bridge's integrity. Even worse, it can get damaged unexpectedly over the years, worsening its condition further. Common causes of bridge damage include: ● Impact damage caused by trees, cars, or other large items during floods ● Flood water eroding a bridge's foundation or the soil beneath