Bridge in ‘Poor’ Shape Was Checked Four Months Before Collapse
- Bridge was rated in poor condition during last inspection
- Local Democrats tout necessity of Biden’s infrastructure law
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The bridge that collapsed in Pittsburgh Friday morning ahead of President Joe Biden’s visit to the city for an infrastructure speech was deemed in poor condition just four months ago, one of 80 local bridges in such a state in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, alone.
The Fern Hollow Bridge was last inspected Sept. 19, 2021, according to the federal bridge inventory. Its deck and rigid frame steel superstructure were rated in poor condition, and the substructure was rated satisfactory. Generally, a bridge would not be closed until it was rated at risk of “imminent” failure, which is a few steps below “poor” including “serious” and “critical.”