I-5 bridge over the Skagit River has collapsed near Burlington WA.
The USACE is currently conducting general investigation on preliminary alternatives to address flooding in the Skagit River basin.
It is not known at this time what caused the collapse, however, this is a stark reminder of the risks associated when crossing waterways.
The original proposal for the Fargo Dam and FM Diversion was to build a diversion and divert water from the Wild Rice and Red River across 5 rivers, elevation of I-29 for several miles and create a 12.5 mile wide Class 1 High Hazard dam with control structures on the Wild Rice and Red River south of Fargo, ND.
Several discrepancies are associated with the USACE and the Fargo Dam and FM Diversion at a cost north of $2.04 billion.
Safety concerns are paramount for residents and property owners that are impacted by the USACE proposal. The current process has left the impacted stake holders out of the planning and decision process.
Local residents want assurances that failures like the I-5 bridge over the Skagit River don’t become a reality to one of the regions most complex engineering challenges.
The current proposal will allow Fargo, ND the ability to encroach further into the last natural flood plains adjacent to the city further increasing flooding issues and risks to the greater metro area.
** UPDATE 5-24-2013 10:00 am **
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste cites the collapse was the result of a collision between the tractor-trailer and the overhead structure of the bridge.
The I-5 bridge had been rated “functionally deficient,” according to a federal database. The National Transportation Safety Board are still investigating.
This raises further questions on the safety of the multiple components of the proposed Fargo Dam and FM Diversion.
Annual maintenance costs of $3.6 million have been proposed. What current mechanism is in place to ensure that proper and diligent maintenance is carried out when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has rated, 326 levees in 37 states covering more than 2,000 miles were found to be in urgent need of repair as recently as January 2013.
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** UPDATE 5-24-2013 10:00 am **
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste cites the collapse was the result of a collision between the tractor-trailer and the overhead structure of the bridge.
The I-5 bridge had been rated “functionally deficient,” according to a federal database. The National Transportation Safety Board are still investigating.
This raises further questions on the safety of the multiple components of the proposed Fargo Dam and FM Diversion.
Annual maintenance costs of $3.6 million have been proposed. What current mechanism is in place to ensure that proper and diligent maintenance is carried out when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has rated, 326 levees in 37 states covering more than 2,000 miles were found to be in urgent need of repair as recently as January 2013.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Broken-bolts-may-delay-Bay-Bridge-opening-4390299.php
This is the nuts and bolts problems with massive engineered projects.
Failure of parts may impede the operation of the river control gates just when they are needed to control the river flow.
There is no back up plan.
TR
Trana,
It appears that there is a contingent backup plan for the Fargo Dam and FM Diversion.
It is called EVACUATION.
Excerpt from Page 6 of the MN DNR EAW document:
“Emergency measures would be employed within the risk reduction area to reduce flood damages when the stage is between 35.0 and 40.0 feet. If the upstream staging water surface elevation is forecasted to reach the point of minimum acceptable freeboard, an evacuation order would be issued for the metropolitan area. Once water is flowing over the overflow embankment and the upstream staging elevation reaches the point of minimum acceptable freeboard, the Red and Wild Rice River control structures would be opened further to maintain the minimum freeboard, and stages would rise above 40.0 feet at the USGS Fargo gage.”
It does beg the question “why” spend $2+ billion for the dams and diversion and another $3.6+ million each year if the back up plan is to order an evacuation…, netting the same exact result of the no action plan.
I would like to see the evacuation plan. The DA said at one time the city would flood in two hours?
We have heard so much propaganda, that a detailed plan is called for now.
TR