From FoxNews and the Associated Press
Well actually the article was titled:
Major Northeast Freeway Shut Down in Philadelphia After Large Crack Discovered in Support Pillar
But it would seem a more accurate title would have been:
Major Northeast Freeway Shut Down in Philadelphia After Large Crack Re-Discovered in Support Pillar
or
Freeway Disaster Averted After Potential Bridge Failure Almost Slips Through The Cracks
I-95 North and South just North of Philly is shut down for 2 or so days to fix an overpass support that was found to have cracks that had gotten much worse since the fall.
"Fortunately it was found, we're on top of it, and we're taking care of the situation," Mayor Michael Nutter said.
A crack about a half-inch wide was noticed by an inspector last fall. The same inspector happened to be in the area Monday and decided to check the cracked pillar, Blaum said.
"This crack has grown considerably since October," Blaum said. "It was very fortuitous that he took that look today."
Concrete at the top of the column was crumbling, leaving reinforcing rods visible from the street below, and brick-sized chunks of concrete had fallen around the base of the pillar.
So let me get this straight, it was identified last fall, but the inspector just happened to go look at it because he was in the area? To me that sounds like the inspector thought it was a serious problem, but his superiors didn't, it sounds to me like he was concerned, and they weren't, it sounds to me like, this inspector needs a promotion, and his bosses need to be canned.
Side notes, thank goodness I don't have to drive down that way this week, that is going to be one big flipping mess. Also for those people that want government control of everything, healthcare comes to mind, this is the kind of service you would get in your government healthcare, careful what you wish for.
