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Review slated for 5 bridges sharing design of collapsed span

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Review slated for 5 bridges sharing design of collapsed span
A Port Authority bus that was on a bridge when it collapsed Friday Jan. 28, 2022, is visible in Pittsburgh's East End. A two-lane bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh early Friday, prompting rescuers to rappel nearly 150 feet (46 meters) while others formed a human chain to help rescue multiple people from a dangling bus.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has ordered structural reviews of five other bridges with similar construction to the Pittsburgh bridge that collapsed  Friday.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that department officials ordered the reviews of the five bridges that share what is known as a k-frame design, where weight is placed on single supports that are not bolstered by secondary supports.

A department spokeswoman said all five bridges are rated fair or better— meaning none of them are currently rated “poor” like the The Forbes Avenue bridge over Fern Hollow Creek in Frick Park that collapsed.

Experts have cautioned  that thousands of bridges are rated poor nationally based on inspections, but that does not signal imminent danger or collapse. The rating means there is noticeable deterioration or corrosion and steps like weight limitations, rehabilitation or increased inspections may be needed until repairs are necessary or made.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what caused the bridge to collapse.

The five Pennsylvania bridges that will be reviewed are the Canon-McMillan Alumni Bridge in North Strabane, the Shenango Road Bridge in Beaver, the Philip J. Fahy Memorial Bridge in Bethlehem, the McCallum Street Bridge in Philadelphia and the bridge over Beechwood Boulevard at Murray Avenue in Pittsburgh.

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The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. The Trucker Media Group is subscriber of The Associated Press has been granted the license to use this content on TheTrucker.com and The Trucker newspaper in accordance with its Content License Agreement with The Associated Press.
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