ChefBeckyD
Gold Member
- 20,376
The_Kitchen_Guy said:Actually...
Milwaukee to St. Ignace via Escanaba.......365 miles
Mackinaw City to Milwaukee via Marge's.....513 miles
Total Trip: 878 miles
And no bridge on the return trip!
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The_Kitchen_Guy said:Actually...
Milwaukee to St. Ignace via Escanaba.......365 miles
Mackinaw City to Milwaukee via Marge's.....513 miles
Total Trip: 878 miles
ChefBeckyD said:Yep - but it was a fundraiser I did for a dear friend w/ Breast Cancer - I personally headed it up, and worked on it - and it was the only thing I did that month. It was a labor of love.
I'm much rather drive across not-quite-five-miles of scary bridge than have to drive though Chicago.pcchris said:Hmmm...maybe we'll have to take the long way home. I'll have to check with the other adults to see what they want to do. I'm sure they'll want to go home back over the bridge....grrr!
Although, I don't know, as one of the other adults is afraid of bridges too...maybe we can use our "majority rules" troop rule!! LOL!!!
Reports: 15 Percent of State Bridges ObsoleteMore than 15 percent of Wisconsin's 13,770 bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, but the state has the fourth-lowest rate of problem bridges in the nation, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Friday, August 3, 2007
More than 15 percent of Wisconsin's 13,770 bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, but the state has the fourth-lowest rate of problem bridges in the nation, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Wisconsin is listed as having 1,335 bridges rated as structurally deficient, meaning they are deteriorating and limited to lighter vehicles, with 792 deemed functionally obsolete, which means they are older structures that are narrow, have low clearances or do not meet current design criteria.One of the three states listed as having a lower rate of problem bridges is Minnesota, where the fatal bridge collapse took place Wednesday, at 12 percent, while the others are Nevada at 12 percent and Arizona at 10 percent.Listed worst in terms of the percentage of structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges are Washington, D.C., at 64 percent, Rhode Island 56 percent and Massachusetts 52 percent."We are doing very well compared to the nation," said Finn Hubbard, the state bridge engineer. "I'm very happy with where we are right now."But Wisconsin has experienced problems in the past. Steel girders under the Hoan Bridge on I-794 at Milwaukee cracked in December 2000 and caused the northbound lanes to drop several feet.Hubbard said the Minneapolis bridge likely had different problems than the Hoan because they have different superstructures.Federal officials alerted states Thursday to immediately inspect all bridges similar to the Minneapolis bridge, including 16 in Wisconsin.Chris Klein, a top aide to Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi, said the state Transportation Department had started reviewing data on all bridges in the state.The agency will comply with the federal request, Klein said, but inspectors will not know what to look for until officials identify the cause of the Minneapolis bridge collapse.Hubbard said Friday the inspections of those bridges are expected to start by Monday. He said they would be reinspected again after word is received on the cause of the Minneapolis bridge collapse.Michael Oliva, a University of Wisconsin-Madison associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, said poorly rated bridges were not likely in danger of having major problems, especially since many of them see low traffic volumes."You really shouldn't worry about a collapse like in Minneapolis," he said.State Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, said the Minneapolis disaster shows Wisconsin must stay on top of inspections."You have to do the maintenance before you have a problem, so we have to keep up the vigilance," said Stone, a member of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee.
The_Kitchen_Guy said:There are several thousand bridges in the database and finding one to look at is a challenge, but if there is a Wisconsin bridge that makes you nervous, tell me what it is and I'll try to locate the NBI data for it.
mheat923 said:Chris,
Just wanted to share yo aren't alone on the fear of bridges..I freak with a passion and I live on the gulf coast where there is a bridge on every road..you should see me on trips to Biloxi or New Orleans...
pcchris said:Note to self....don't go to Biloxi or New Orleans! :
OH>>>> We went to Both this summer on a hurricane relief project and all those bridges about KILLED me! We had to dodge a semi truck last year going into New Orleans and I was in tears and shaking. I just don't do bridges well.
It is NOT 5 miles long.It's 28 feet short of 5 miles.ETA: The main span, the part that is suspended from cables, is only 8,614 Ft long, a little more than a mile and a half.pcchris said:Well...That sure didn't help. I guess I wasn't really aware of how long that bridge is until I just watched that show.
Was there ever a doubt?pcchris said:At least I know for sure it's maintained well.
Um, that's why it's called a suspension bridge, because it's suspended from the towers by those giant cables that are made up of many little cables that are made up of many little wires. Redundant redundancies. The deck actually swings when the winds are strong, which is a big reason that suspension bridges are the best choice for long spans over open water like the Straits of Mackinac, the Golden Gate or San Francisco Bay.pcchris said:I also didn't know that the road platform is not attached to the towers at all...I don't know if that's normal for a suspension bridge, but it sure didn't make me feel any better.
Yes, you can!pcchris said:I know, I know...I can do this.....I'll be telling myself that from now until the day I get there. And if not, someone's gonna have to drive me across!! Nice to have that option!
The_Kitchen_Guy said:Check this out:
"This year's maintenance program includes opening two sections of the main cable to inspect the cable wires. The cable is in great condition."
ROFL! You remind me of the old song....ChefBeckyD said:It makes me queasy just to look at that picture! It amazes me how those men work like that!
While driving across the bridge, DH is always twisting his neck all over the place to see where the guys are working on the bridge......that is, until I reach up from my seat on the floor of the passenger side and smack him and tell him to keep his eyes on the road in front of him.
The_Kitchen_Guy said:Check this out:
"This year's maintenance program includes opening two sections of the main cable to inspect the cable wires. The cable is in great condition."
The_Kitchen_Guy said:Aw, $#17! That bridge is even younger than I am.
Actually, I remember when it opened. We lived in Jennison (when Becky's house was a cornfield behind our house) and the Spartan store in Grandville had a model of the bridge built in the produce aisle.
They used a pretty big wrench to bang on those cables to get the sound.The_Kitchen_Guy said:I wonder what it sounds like with each blow of the hammer on the wedge.
The sound of the laser rifles and blasters in Star Wars was made by banging on the guy wires of a transmission tower.
Baldwin Drive, top of the hill, south side of the road, across from the Van Belkum (spelling?) farm.Jean DeVries said:No way? KG - you used to live in Jenison? I grew up there, and still visit my parents there almost daily.
Small world.
:: hijack over ::
And my friends think that I'M a walking compendium of useless information.chefann said:They used a pretty big wrench to bang on those cables to get the sound.
Another interesting sound tidbit? The sound of the pod racers in SW:Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (yes, that's the official title) was made by running electric shavers inside SS bowls.
This has been another useless fact from the brain if Ann.
pcchris said:Well, my friends, I am home...alive! Yes, I DID IT! I DROVE OVER THAT BRIDGE TWICE!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!
I do not feel like a wuss...I was scared almost to death! I think I have finger marks embedded in my steering wheel, but I got across the Mighty Mac!
It is a beautiful bridge...stunning, actually...and SO cool at night. I have several pictures, and probably will get them posted here if I can remember how to do that!
I had to drive on the steel grates to pass a camper (dang high wind warnings!) I was not about to get stuck behind him going 20 mph...and my girls were not real happy with me. (I wasn't real excited about it either!)
Just had to let you all know that I actually drove the bridge...thanks to all of you for your support...I was thinking about all of YOU when I was going across it...believe that?!?!?!
btw...Mackinac Island is a really neat place. But if I ever go up there again, I'm staying in St. Ignace and taking the ferry to the island! LOL!!!
chefann said:Way to go, Chris! I thought of you yesterday - wondered if you had been OK crossing. Next time it won't seem so bad!
Katie, I do believe that you are correct!!katie0128 said:Next time? Somehow I don't think there will be a next time for Chris!
baychef said:Congratulations!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: I thought of you the other day when I went over our local bridge. I did get a mili-second to glance off each side...the views are so wonderful.
I have never been to Macinack Island, but it sounds like it would be a place worth looking into!
The Mackinac Bridge is 26,372 feet long, making it one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
Yes, it is completely safe to cross the Mackinac Bridge with a carload of Girl Scouts. The bridge is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its safety for all vehicles.
Yes, there are a few precautions and procedures to follow when crossing the Mackinac Bridge. All vehicles must maintain a speed of at least 20 mph and no more than 45 mph. Also, be sure to turn off your radio and refrain from talking on your cell phone while crossing the bridge.
No, stopping on the Mackinac Bridge is strictly prohibited for safety reasons. However, there are several designated scenic overlooks on both sides of the bridge where you can safely take pictures.
First, remember that the Mackinac Bridge is regularly inspected and maintained for safety. Second, try to focus on the beautiful scenery and distract yourself with music or conversation with your Girl Scouts. You can also try deep breathing exercises or listening to a calming meditation app to help ease your fear.