A new report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) raises concerns about the potential collapse of the Golden Gate Bridge and four other Bay Area bridges due to ship strikes. Released on Thursday, the report follows the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last year after it was struck by a cargo ship, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers.
According to the report by KRON4, the NTSB identified 68 bridges across the United States that require a vulnerability assessment to determine their risk of collapse from vessel collisions. The Golden Gate Bridge, constructed in 1937, is the oldest among the Bay Area bridges listed. The report does not suggest that these bridges are certain to collapse, but it urges bridge owners to evaluate whether their structures exceed the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) acceptable risk levels.
The NTSB recommends that bridge owners develop comprehensive risk reduction plans if their assessments indicate a risk above the AASHTO threshold. The report emphasizes the importance of proactive measures, noting that a similar evaluation might have prevented the collapse of the Key Bridge.
The Golden Gate Bridge is owned by the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, while the other Bay Area bridges mentioned are owned by the Bay Area Toll Authority. The NTSB also suggests forming an interdisciplinary team with the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assist bridge owners in evaluating and mitigating risks.
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