PennDOT knew nearly four years ago of bridge problems
SOUTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP - PennDOT knew nearly four years ago that the bridge that partially collapsed over Interstate 70 near Washington on Tuesday was in poor shape.
Bridge inspection records obtained by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review show a March 2002 inspection rated the South Strabane overpass as "structurally deficient."
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation refused to turn over bridge inspection reports for the overpass carrying Lakeview Drive over I-70, which partly collapsed about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Deputy Secretary Gary Hoffman on Wednesday said a March 2004 inspection showed the bridge was structurally deficient, but the agency determined the span was safe to keep open.
The Trib obtained the March 2002 inspection results from the Federal Highway Administration, which collects bridge records from all state transportation agencies.
PennDOT District 12 Executive Joe Szczur said Thursday he did not have the 2002 inspection report immediately available, but he was not surprised the overpass was rated structurally deficient. Many bridges are rated as deficient, yet can still safely carry vehicles, he said.
"Even though it's structurally deficient, that doesn't mean it can't perform," Szczur said. "This thing was regularly inspected over the years. All that would be able to tell us is that it deteriorated over time. ... Things don't get better in time. Things deteriorate slowly but surely."
A fourth of the state's bridges are rated as being structurally deficient, according to federal records. Only Oklahoma and Rhode Island have a higher proportion of problem bridges. The national average is 13 percent.
The inspection report called for the span to remain open with no restrictions on the types of vehicles allowed to use the overpass.
The report also rated the bridge deck and superstructure in "poor condition," meaning it had "advanced section loss or deterioration," according to federal guidelines.
The deck supports the driving surface, and the superstructure includes the main physical pieces of the overpass, including joints, paint and bearings.
The report rated the bridge "substructure" in satisfactory condition, meaning the piers, piles and footings showed only minor deterioration.
The report indicated it would cost more than $1.2 million to replace the bridge. PennDOT plans to demolish the bridge but has not decided whether to rebuild the span, according to agency spokesman Jay Ofsanik. Only 500 vehicles a day use the overpass.
State Sen. Barry Stout (D-Bentleyville) minority chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said Wednesday he would wait for conclusive results about the collapse before determining what action to take.
"They don't know exactly what caused the bridge failure," he said. "As soon as they determine the cause, I will work with them."
As of Thursday, PennDOT still had not determined what caused a 53-foot, 125-ton concrete box beam to fall onto the eastbound interstate lanes, where about 60,000 motorists travel each day.
