NPR: Minneapolis Bridge Scored 50 Out of 120 in Inspection

Minneapolis Bridge Scored 50 Out of 120 in Inspection

White House spokesman Tony Snow said the Interstate 35 bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis on Wednesday had scored 50 on a scale of 120 in a 2005 inspection, which means it was rated as "structurally deficient." But The Swamp notes that Snow added that this did not mean there was a risk of failure -- or that "the national system of inspecting bridges will be reevaluated."

Transportation Secretary Mary Peters agreed, saying that the ratings didn't mean there was any danger.

"What that rating of 50 means is that the bridge should be repaired, should perhaps be considered for replacement at some point in the future," Peters said. "It was by no means determined that this bridge was not safe. Had that been the case ... Gov. Pawlenty would have shut this bridge down immediately.

OK, let me get this straight. Scoring 50 out of 120 does not mean there was a risk of failure? In almost everything else I can think of, scoring 50 out of 100 (let alone 120) doesn't mean there is a risk of failure -- it means failure. In fact, Thomas Rooney, a civil engineer interviewed on Day to Day, said he wasn't exactly sure what the problems were, but he believed the score meant the bridge should not have been in use. As he said, 50 out of 120 would not mean a pass even in a fifth-grade elementary class.

Even if bridges have an evaluation system that's different from school test scores, it would seem to me that the inspection would raise a flag somewhere in some state or federal department. Officials say that as many as 80,000 bridges in the U.S. share a similar score -- no doubt in an effort to show that getting such a score is not such a big deal.

I'm not so sure people who now have to drive over these bridges feel the same way.

4:14 PM ET | 08- 2-2007 | permalink

Comments

Oh dear! Aren't our elected officials responsible for ensuring the safety and welfare of citizens here in this great nation? It appears they have been neglecting oversight and improvement of our public works. While their attention certainly has been focused on regulating conditions of our nation's private industries, it seems that our nation's infrastructure has been falling apart! As Americans travel to work, school and home we erroneously assume that in this great country our roadways are being well maintained. Also,we may erroneously assume that our sewage systems and utility lines are kept in check. Hopefully this latest bridge collapse tragedy will grab the attention of registered voters who apparently have been "asleep at the wheel" so that in upcoming elections they can get rid of any officials (i.e. politicians) who have been "asleep on their watch".

Sent by Amy Halsey | 12:31 PM ET | 08-03-2007

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Tom Regan

Blogger

About Us

This year's election cycle has been one of the most exciting in memory. At the NPR News Blog we'll do our best to bring you interesting, informative -- and controversial -- stories from our own reporters and bloggers, as well as the rest of the best of the Internet and blogosphere. And we hope you'll let us know what you think as well.

Want to learn more? Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions and our discussion guidelines.