Better Roads Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/149296
ment data to monitor bridge conditions and provide alternative routes to drivers to avoid congestion, incidents and emergencies. Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) on the bridges will let allow operaters to keep the bridges open during severe weather. "Knowing the roadway conditions provides added protection for emergency workers and enables timely/earliest re-opening of the bridges based on actual real-time conditions," says MDOT. Using $10 million in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grants from the U.S. DOT) grants, the project will expand existing ITS systems in each of the three states to complement previous state and private investments. The expansion should yield nearly $90 million in net public benefits, or more than $10.10 in public benefits for every public dollar spent, says MDOT. The project is, says MDOT, a credit to the ability of all three state transportation agencies to work together. In addition to the principals the project has broad support from regional and local agencies in all three states. Of course, says MDOT, it is not the first time all of these agencies have worked together on Mississippi River projects. The value of enabling drivers to choose and begin their detour as early as possible, becomes startlingly obvious when you look at these numbers: From the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge the nearest bridge to the south is 162 miles and to the north 144 miles. From the Vicksburg Bridge the nearest bridge to the south is 143 miles and to the north 179 miles. From the Greenville Bridge the nearest bridge to the south is 159 miles and to the north 246 miles. From the Helena Bridge the nearest bridge to the south is 254 miles and to the north 124 miles. Each of the four bridges serve as a detour route for the other bridges,. Project managers say that it demonstrates a commitment to improved accessibility and economic opportunity for the approximately 230,000 residents of the area, officially an economically distressed area (EDA). To get an idea of this EDA check out another "bridge" project, the Delta Bridge Project at www.deltabridgeproject.com The river bridges project is expected to be finished in June 2014. There is one especially wonderful book that will give you an idea of just how much the currents and courses of the Mississippi River are subject to sudden, significant and potentially disastrous change: Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi. BRIDGE CROSSINGS NON-CONDUCTIVE PIPE ROLLERS Prevent the passing of current from the pipeline to bridge structure, rebars, etc. * Free catalogue of pipeline Bridge Crossing Products. n Maintain same support strength of pipe hanger system. n Eliminate chafing and rusting pipe caused by iron rolls. n Eliminate electrical grounding of the pipeline to the bridge. n Eliminate insulating joints at each end of bridge, and n n n include the suspended line as part of a cathodically protected pipeline, i.e. continuity of cathodic protection. Absorb vibration from traffice or other sources, saving wear and tear on pipe hanger parts. Highest specification polyurethane compound is cast around an integral steel sleeve to form a full length bearing for the axle. Direct replacement for cast iron roll. P.O. Box 540 Westtown, PA 19395 Fax 610-344-7519 Text INFO to 205-289-3789 or visit www.betterroads.com/info LB&A, INC. 610-696-9220 ncroll.com Text INFO to 205-289-3789 or visit www.betterroads.com/info Better Roads August 2013 19 BaileyBridge_BR0513_PG14.indd 1 BetterBridges_BR0813.indd 19 4/23/13 9:32 AM LB&A_BR0211.indd 1 1/6/11 10:18 AM 8/1/13 11:06 AM