Big announcement.
After a bridge in Baltimore collapsed from a cargo ship collision, an Arkansas Department of Transportation official issued a statement about Arkansas bridge safety. The official responded to concerns that the same thing could happen here in Arkansas.
Arkansas Department of Transportation Responds
A cargo ship recently crashed into a Baltimore bridge, causing the entire bridge to collapse on impact.
At least 6 people are suspected dead from the incident. They were workers who were working on the bridge before impact.
Apparently, residents in Arkansas were concerned the same thing might happen to Arkansas bridges.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation says not to worry.
Dave Parker, ARDOT spokesperson, released the following statement:
“The vessel that collided with and collapsed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge is considerably larger than vessels that use Arkansas’ navigable waterways… The I-40 bridge has large concrete piers and sizable pile footings to offer protection in the event of such a collision.”
Rest assured, a vessel running into Arkansas bridges appears highly unlikely.
Arkansas Bridge Issues Put Under The Microscope
Concerns have been mounting over the state of Arkansas bridges ever since the Interstate 40 bridge was shut down connecting Arkansas with Tennessee.
A large crack in the bridge was spotted by investigators.
One of the inspectors for the bridge missed the possibly catastrophic flaw. The inspector who missed the flaw was later fired.
