It took nine years from the bond issue (1968) to completion (1977).
The estimate of 10 years to reopening is reasonable and consistent with what it took to build it originally when you take into consideration the four years of project prep-work that happened between the bond issuance and the start of construction.
Frankly, I think ten years is pessimistic. If the existing approaches can be salvaged it will take a good year or two off the construction time. They don't have to do any new geological studies to rebuild the cassions.
Is there a reason that prep-work needs to be done again? Genuinely don't know: presumably the formerly built bridge had engineer-approved plans where all the math and physics were worked out and validated.
I mean, aside from clearing the wrecked bridge so that you can build it in the same spot.
Lead time on orders. Old bridge was 4-5 thousand tons of steel that has to be scheduled into some (already busy) foundries, and you can't even start putting it together until you've got a lot of the pieces staged and ready.
But frankly I doubt they'll rebuild it "as it was". They might as well throw on a couple extra lanes and use a newer style. They could do something a little more grandiose, like the Rio-Antirio bridge.
Regardless of styling, they should definitely, definitely add on more protection for the bridge pylons, this time, particularly around that shipping lane…
You obviously know more about this than I, but that was one of the things I heard discussed, even early on, to prevent incidents like this happening again, so surely…
It took nine years from the bond issue (1968) to completion (1977).
The estimate of 10 years to reopening is reasonable and consistent with what it took to build it originally when you take into consideration the four years of project prep-work that happened between the bond issuance and the start of construction.
Frankly, I think ten years is pessimistic. If the existing approaches can be salvaged it will take a good year or two off the construction time. They don't have to do any new geological studies to rebuild the cassions.
Is there a reason that prep-work needs to be done again? Genuinely don't know: presumably the formerly built bridge had engineer-approved plans where all the math and physics were worked out and validated.
I mean, aside from clearing the wrecked bridge so that you can build it in the same spot.
Lead time on orders. Old bridge was 4-5 thousand tons of steel that has to be scheduled into some (already busy) foundries, and you can't even start putting it together until you've got a lot of the pieces staged and ready.
But frankly I doubt they'll rebuild it "as it was". They might as well throw on a couple extra lanes and use a newer style. They could do something a little more grandiose, like the Rio-Antirio bridge.
Sadly, those foundries have be relocated to (checks notes) China.
They'll also rename it to the George Floyd bridge or some shit because Francis Scott Key owned slaves.
Regardless of styling, they should definitely, definitely add on more protection for the bridge pylons, this time, particularly around that shipping lane…
You obviously know more about this than I, but that was one of the things I heard discussed, even early on, to prevent incidents like this happening again, so surely…
Nah.
I think it's more likely that the NTSB will come up with more aggressive rules on when pilot tugs are required.