Quote:
Originally Posted by grid_master
Translink's own reports say that this bridge needs seismic repairs, those ARE NOT being done.
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The Alex Fraser Bridge and all other similar cable-stayed structures in Metro Vancouver are designed to structurally withstand a major 8.5 quake. And that's a localized, shallow quake.
OTOH, both the GMT and PB are both extremely "seismically-challenged". The GMT has added seismic retro-fitting (those huge steel band-aids connecting the tunnel sections on the roof structure). Even then, it is just a seismic "band-aid". Value-engineering has ascertained that additional seismic work in order to bring the GMT up structurally to current 8.5 quake standards is just simply toooooo financially cost prohibitive.
And ya can also expand that synopsis to the PB - perhaps even ten-fold financially. Again. Just waaaay too cost prohibitive. Just need to replace these structures completely.
Let me put it this way. If a "localized shallow" 6.8 Nisqually quake (Seattle back in 2001) took place in the vicinity of either the GMT or PB, there would be a better than 50% chance that a catastrophic collapse would have occurred with either the GMT or PB.
Frankly, I always drive thru/over those structures as fast as I can - knowing that likelihood.
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