Experiment in Critical Thinking

Low hanging Bridge Problem and solution

Revision 2

Brian Lynn Bentley

Composition and Critical Thinking

Colorado Technical University

Abstract

"Of the 1496 bridges susceptible to impact by over height vehicles statewide, 309 (20%) have been struck, with 58 (4%) having required repairs." ("Truck Accidents Archives — Georgia Legal Report," n.d.)

In Gulliver Township Guillotine bridge got its name for good reason. It is a low clearance railroad bridge made out of stone and steel. The Bridges clearance is about 8 feet 1 inch high and goes over a small two lane road that is one of two accesses to the highway. If the township does not do something quick they may be liable for lawsuits. If any fatal injuries are involved, so far there have been none. But can we wait too much longer? The possible lawsuits and insurance costs will over time be more than the cost of fixing the problem. Residents have complained about that bridge for years and nothing too little has been done about it. So how do we resolve the problem with the best solution for all those involved?

About 20 crashes a year have occurred at this point where the road goes under the bridge in the town ship. Trucks and high Vehicles do not realize how high or low that the bridge clearance is. The rail road has tried to address the problem by installing signs and has put bumper bars on the bridge to protect the tracks. But they already have been replaced three times. The railroad is offering to help come to a solution. The railroad is offering some financial support, construction crew, and construction equipment. Railroad will provide expert advice from engineers and financial experts to give an opinion to fix the road and bridge.

A town meeting was formed earlier this year with experts from the railroad and highway commission as well as local business owners and other general members of the public. After hours of a robust meeting of questions and debating what is to be done. The committee had come up with these two answers.

Railroad has a solution to the problem. But will cost 40 million dollars and take about 3 years. Additional problems that were indicated at the meeting .Are that the road and rail traffic would have to be rerouted for the same amount of time and potentially make another new traffic problem of congestion. And will require a millage or a raise in taxes. This solution is more Con then Pro. It will me more expensive take longer and will raise the cost of daily living for the residents. As well as head the headache of getting used to the congestion and delays. The rail road would not be satisfied either for they would have to reroute about 45 trains to accommodate the rerouting of this one rail. And the burden of cost would be mostly on the railroad.

The second solution is to lower the road so the clearance is higher. This solution is to lower the road at one eighth the cost of the first solution of rerouting traffic and railroad lines. It will take 3 to 6 months there for the headaches for the town and the railroad would be shorter and the train company would not have to reroute. The Railroad will even match funds and help with construction. This choice will not have need for a mileage or taxes since the local businesses and railroad will help fund the project. Over all it will save money and potentially create local temporary jobs. Therefore also help the local economy with a booster shot.

Now the board and public is presented with these two options and a third option to do nothing, pay the ever increasing insurance costs increasing costs of medical and fire department services which will also result in raising taxes, and still not having fixed the solution. this is one case where doing nothing is not better than doing something. write them tell them to start the project as soon as possible. The choice is obvious 6 months of inconvenience at a lower cost or Years of frustration traffic problems and congestion. And the biggest boon will be some economic relief with jobs and money even if only temporary.

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References

Fu, C. C., Burhouse, J. R., & Chang, G. (0). Paper Title: STUDY OF OVERHEIGHT VEHICLE COLLISIONS WITH HIGHWAY BRIDGES.

Truck Accidents Archives — Georgia Legal Report. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.georgialegalreport.com/category/truck-accidents

Video: Low Bridge Causes Big Problems For Trucks [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/02/low-bridge-truck-crash-video/

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