Seattle considers replacing cracked bridge with tunnel

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

SEATTLE (AP) — City leaders have discussed replacing the West Seattle Bridge with a tunnel or more traditional bridge options after engineers discovered growing infrastructure cracks in March.

The Seattle Department of Transportation announced it may also put $2 million in federal money toward initial planning for the project instead of funding downtown programs, such as improved transit apps and commute-reduction incentives, The Seattle Times reported.

The moves came after the city announced last week that it is soliciting engineering companies to compete for up to $150 million for a construction contract to design and supervise a bridge replacement project, if one is needed.

The city has yet to determine whether to replace or repair the cracked bridge.

The 36-year-old bridge was closed in March after photos from the department revealed expanding cracks that lengthened 5 feet (1.5 meters) since August, including 2 feet (0.6 meters) of growth from March 6 to March 23.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/seattle-considers-replacing-cracked-bridge-with-tunnel/ar-BB15iAbC?ocid=hplocalnews

[Thunderbeast]

1. Why is it that modern infrastructure is often deficient?

Bridges, buildings, and other projects built in the last 40 years seem to be less reliable. I regularly use a bridge built over 100 years ago, and while seismically deficient, it has fewer problems than many of it's contemporary neighbors. The roof on a public space built ten years ago needed a $2 Million retrofit after three years. A five mile highway re-alignment in the coast range was seven years late and $200 Million over budget. Tall bridge piers were demolished after construction and replaced with massive fill berms.

Are designs taking more risks? Are we building on the cheap? Why does 19th century engineering using pencil and paper endure while captains of techno-engineering can't span a river without piers and beams cracking.

Has our desire to outsource all public works cost us in the long run?

Recent experiences with infrastructure projects do not instill confidence.

[iemitsu]

2. Public projects are required to accept the lowest bid.

You get what you pay for.
Too bad that there are no more public works districts any longer. We got much more for our dollar than we have from the private sector.