Bob Ortblad discusses safety issues with the proposed grade of the I-5 Bridge replacement project
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
If the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s (IBR) extremely steep bridge is built, a semi-truck will fly off the bridge and crash onto downtown Vancouver.
Bridge decks freeze before roadways because the air cools both the top and bottom surfaces. During winter months supercooled liquid droplets in fog will freeze instantly on the North-facing bridge deck forming dangerous black ice. With more warming sunshine the South slope will be ice-free.
A trucker driving north on I-5 will be lulled into the safety of dry roads and an ice-free South slope. The truck will slow to 45 mph climbing the +4 percent ice-free South slope. At the bridge crest, as the grade flattens the truck will gear up to 55 mph and then accelerate to 65 mph on the down-hill slope.
Two-hundred yards past the bridge crest the truck will hit black ice on the country’s steepest Interstate Highway bridge grade of -4 percent. Braking is useless on black ice and seconds later the truck will need to make a slight right turn. A 40-ton semi-truck cannot turn on black ice. At 65 mph it will crash through the bridge rail, falling 90 feet onto downtown Vancouver.
This unnecessary deadly design is criminal negligence. The IBR continues to ignore a safer weather-protected immersed tunnel alternative that will protect Vancouver from a falling semi truck, noise, and freeway blight.
Bob Ortblad MSCE, MBA
Seattle
Also read:
- Letter: Interstate Bridge Replacement $13.6 billion estimate is too low!
Bob Ortblad argues the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $13.6 billion cost estimate understates the true expense, citing comparable projects, construction challenges, and engineering assumptions. - Opinion: ‘The drama and the waste of taxpayer money continues’
Rep. John Ley outlines his objections to the approved fixed-span I-5 Bridge design, citing cost concerns, engineering standards, funding uncertainty, and opposition to light rail and tolls. - Opinion: Why vote no on the Battle Ground School District levy?
Dick Rylander outlines why he believes voters should reject the Battle Ground School District levy, citing costs, enrollment trends, test results, and district spending priorities. - Letter: The multi-million dollar cash grab in Washington schools
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Doug Dahl explains why drivers often misjudge their speed, especially when using cruise control or transitioning from freeway to city streets.
As if a CRC bridge will be built!