Bridge collapse could cost Washington state millions, jobs

[MineralMan]

18. In the first place, I've driven that route many times.

In fact, I even traveled it a number of times before there was an I-5, on old Hwy 99. In the second place, the traffic levels will decrease, simply because of the delays. Third, the current detours have not been in place long, and the delays will decrease with familiarity.

You're right. There are two detour routes, both southbound and northbound. That will also decrease the delays, although one of the detours is much longer than the other.

The shortest detour is on four-lane arterial streets, and the detour bridge is two-lanes in each direction. Traffic signals will be re-programmed to handle the change in traffic. No doubt, this will all create some confusion and delays, but those will moderate, once this whole thing has been in place for a week or two.

Actually, I do live in a major urban area. I live in St. Paul, MN. You may remember we had a major Interstate highway bridge collapse, too, right in the heart of the city. It wasn't too long before traffic found alternative routes and actually avoided the detours. That won't really be possible on this section of I-5, which is not in the heart of a major urban area. It's a route between major urban areas. So, all of the traffic will be forced to use those detours. During the construction season here in Minnesota, traffic is detoured frequently, as they close major Interstate highways for days and weeks to make repair. People grumble about it, but business continues. There are delays, and people plan for them. The same will happen after this incident.

At peak hours, the detour will be longer than a half an hour, but shouldn't be more than that in off-peak hours. Many will reschedule their travel to avoid peak hours, which will also moderate the effects.

Despite your orders, I will not shut up. I will post as I wish. You do not know me. You do not know where I have been or what routes I have driven. You do not know my experience with detours on Interstate highways. This bridge collapse will cause delays. All such disruptions cause delays. It will not, however, destroy the economy in the area. It will merely alter how people use that stretch of Interstate highway. People will adapt to the changes necessary, and life will continue, with some additional hassles.