- India Bridge Collapse Results In At Least 140 Deaths And Criminal Charges
- MDTA Awards $140 Million Chesapeake Bay Bridge Redecking Contract
- Illinois Tollway Recognized For Developing Incident Response Application
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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India Bridge Collapse Results In At Least 140 Deaths And Criminal Charges
The New York Times reports, a pedestrian toll bridge in Morbi, Gujarat, collapsed last evening, resulting in the deaths of at least 140 people. Built in 1880 and recently reopened after a seven-months-long restoration, the landmark span may have been over capacity when it failed. There are also reports that it did not receive an official safety certification before reopening. The Times notes, “India’s infrastructure has long been marred by safety concerns. Allegations of corruption have also swirled around the huge amounts of money channeled to construction and maintenance, depriving Indians of quality roads and bridges and leading to frequent mass-casualty episodes.”
The Washington Post reports, officials today arrested nine people, among whom were employees of the company that operates the bridge and its construction contractors, on charges of culpable homicide, an offense similar to the US crime of manslaughter. Police said criminal charges will also be filed against bridge management and maintenance entities.
The Hindu is continuously updating its coverage of the collapse and disaster recovery efforts.
Crime Beat Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) IndiaMDTA Awards $140 Million Chesapeake Bay Bridge Redecking Contract
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced that it has awarded a $140 million contract for redecking of the eastbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. MDTA said pre-construction began in 2021 with a view toward crafting a work plan that minimizes traffic disruption. Major construction will start next fall and is targeted for completion in the winter of 2025-2026.
“Engineering News-Record” reports on the project’s procurement process and scope of work. It notes that MDTA selected a “construction manager at-risk approach to the project, advertising a request for proposals in 2019.” The agency ultimately awarded the construction contract to the same Corman Construction (now Kokosing) and McLean Contracting joint venture that obtained the state’s 2021 preconstruction services contract. According to MDTA board records, the joint venture’s “proposed guaranteed maximum price was about $10.5 million below the engineers’ estimate of $150.5 million. [See Tab 4 in briefing material.]”
Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Maryland Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA)Illinois Tollway Recognized For Developing Incident Response Application
“Government Technology” has given the Illinois Tollway Authority’s Traffic Operations Center an award for developing “its own mobile-friendly web application, the TIMS2GO Mobile Incident Response Tool, to give TOC traffic and incident managers the ability to gather real-time incident information and develop appropriate response plans.” The app provides “instant access to livestreaming video, incident details and response status updates. Staff can quickly and easily communicate with first responders and roadway maintenance personnel, giving them the information they need to familiarize themselves with an incident and mitigate additional safety risks before they arrive on the scene.” The tollway was one of about a dozen agencies to receive recognition in “Government Technology’s” 2022 Special Districts Technology Innovation Award competition.
Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Illinois Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (IL Tollway) Industry Awards & Recognitions Information Technology Resources and Acquisitions Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO)These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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