I have been wondering about this bridge for a long time. Why are heavy buses permitted to park on it? Bridges are not made to hold constant weight like that. Everyday I see at least 5 "Maryland Commuter" buses parked on the bridge.
How soon before the bridge collapses under the weight of buses huge commuter buses?
This could be the best thing to happen for the streetcar turn around solution. If the bridge requires major repairs, the city can incorpate the engineering of the turn around into the bridge repairs - and get it closer to Union Station.
I've got no problem believe that DDOT didn't respond to the complaints.
I've reported several problems to DDOT over the years. Every single time they only get back to me after I start calling every day. They don't seem to think they have to actually let you know the status of jobs.
Their actual on-site workers seem to be great. But their office staff doesn't seem to think they have to actually communicate with the public.
"How soon before the bridge collapses under the weight of buses huge commuter buses?"
Longer than you'll be alive. So Relax.
Buses are light (relatively speaking) compared to things like (loaded) cement trucks, or (loaded) tractor trailers. And major bridges are designed with this in mind.
As for the trolly: The weight isn't the problem. A modern tram comes in around 38T - in the same class as heavy trucks (gross wt). If anything is keeping trollies (trams) off the bridge it's the inability to cut tracks into the bridge deck (the bridge wasn't designed for that eventuality) and the steep grade. Steel wheels don't work on inclines beyond about 1 in 40.
I think it makes most since for a more radical change anyway that would allow the streetcar to provide a direct transfer to Union Station before continuing downtown. The idea of building a giant streetcar network without a direct connection to Union Station strikes me as a tremendous missed opportunity and doesn't make much sense.
10 comments:
sure hope that as long as somethings fell they were some of those awful hopscotch tiles
I have been wondering about this bridge for a long time. Why are heavy buses permitted to park on it? Bridges are not made to hold constant weight like that. Everyday I see at least 5 "Maryland Commuter" buses parked on the bridge.
How soon before the bridge collapses under the weight of buses huge commuter buses?
This could be the best thing to happen for the streetcar turn around solution. If the bridge requires major repairs, the city can incorpate the engineering of the turn around into the bridge repairs - and get it closer to Union Station.
Hey Tommy Wells,
Why are one or two trolley cars traveling over the bridge too much weight for the bridge but five commuter buses parked on the bridge is OK?
Either the trolley weight thing is BS or you have got to move those buses.
I've got no problem believe that DDOT didn't respond to the complaints.
I've reported several problems to DDOT over the years. Every single time they only get back to me after I start calling every day. They don't seem to think they have to actually let you know the status of jobs.
Their actual on-site workers seem to be great. But their office staff doesn't seem to think they have to actually communicate with the public.
"How soon before the bridge collapses under the weight of buses huge commuter buses?"
Longer than you'll be alive. So Relax.
Buses are light (relatively speaking) compared to things like (loaded) cement trucks, or (loaded) tractor trailers. And major bridges are designed with this in mind.
As for the trolly: The weight isn't the problem. A modern tram comes in around 38T - in the same class as heavy trucks (gross wt). If anything is keeping trollies (trams) off the bridge it's the inability to cut tracks into the bridge deck (the bridge wasn't designed for that eventuality) and the steep grade. Steel wheels don't work on inclines beyond about 1 in 40.
Must be the hopscotchers committing suicide?
I think it makes most since for a more radical change anyway that would allow the streetcar to provide a direct transfer to Union Station before continuing downtown. The idea of building a giant streetcar network without a direct connection to Union Station strikes me as a tremendous missed opportunity and doesn't make much sense.
Anon 12:32
What kind of wheels do they use on the San Fran trollys?
Anon 11:41, I see where you're going with this...
San Fran Trolleys (aka Cable Cars) don't use driven wheels. The Skoda Trams that DC has ordered do.
Guess I should have more specific.
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