Public safety is a key element of WOBO’s Members work and the SCOSS ALERT serves as a reminder!!

This was a bridge of an unusual design and was being constructed in an unusual manner. The main 53m pre-stressed pre-cast concrete span truss was in position when cracks appeared at a node and over a period of almost three weeks they visibly worsened until collapse occurred.

All parties apparently failed to recognise the bridge was in danger when inspected hours before the collapse. In hindsight, the magnitude of the cracks warranted that the road be immediately closed, and the truss supported to reduce loads, pending evaluation.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations focused on the design, the peer review checking, the site supervision and the independent checking of the works.

Lessons which must be learned by owners, designers, contractors, checkers and supervisors are given in this Alert.