Published: August 30, 2007 12:37 pm      

GRAND ISLAND: Condition of south bridges questioned

With a chunk of blue-painted concrete at his feet, political activist and Erie County Legislature candidate Rus Thompson called for renewed inspections at the Grand Island bridges.

“Am I scared to cross the bridges?” he asked to the gathering of local media. “No, because I have to.”

While the New York State Thruway Authority unequivocally says “the bridges are safe,” there are plans under way to fix falling concrete that’s been a problem since last year.

"Some of them could put a dent in your hood,” said Grand Island Town Supervisor Peter McMahon.

After the Minneapolis bridge collapse, the governor ordered the Thruway Authority to inspect all the steel truss bridges in New York, according to McMahon. During the inspection of the Grand Island bridges, additional pieces of suspect concrete were chipped away, and additional repairs were scheduled.

It is unknown, however, if the repairs have been made.

There are other areas of concern, as well, Thompson said.

Several area engineers and bridge inspectors have visited the South Bridges at his request, and they have left concerned, he said.

In fact, one or more of these professionals were supposed to have spoken at the Wednesday afternoon press conference, but they ultimately declined.

“They are afraid of repercussions,” Thompson said, who hoped at least one be willing to come forward in the coming weeks.

One of their concerns, Thompson said, is the effect the tolls have on the vibrations from tractor trailers crossing the bridge.

“When they come from a standstill,” Thompson said, “they have to create a lot more force and torque.”

Thompson also pointed out load-bearing joints to reporters he said were misaligned due to stress.

Thompson said he’s just looking for answers.

Others connected to the bridges also expressed concern Wednesday.

Erie County Legislator Michelle Iannello, who will be defending her 10th District seat against Thompson in November, said she is pursuing the safety of the bridges diligently.

“I do not believe the bridges have been neglected,” she said. “But I don’t believe they have been given all the love and care they deserve.”

Thompson said the toll is a tax that doesn’t remain locally.

“The Thruway Authority claims that all the toll money collected stays here for these bridges,” he said. “If that is true, why are they in such sad shape? All four bridges are rated below four.”

Bridge scores consist of graded categories that are rated based on their weakest link.

“The good thing about the Grand Island bridges is that they feature a lot of redundancy,” he said. Within the past month, Thopmson said he’s become a quick study of the construction of the GI bridges, which are of the truss arch variety that failed in Minneapolis.

Iannello and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt will take advantage of an upcoming meeting for the Spring 2008 bridge redecking project to discuss the bridge safety issue.

In other news, Iannello said the redecking project may expand its days of operation to include Friday and Saturday night in order for the project to proceed efficiently. Currently, plans are for those nights to be excluded since they are the busiest.