WPCNR IN TRANSIT. By John F. Bailey. August 3, 2007: A New York State Transportation spokesperson reported to WPCNR Thursday that the Department of Transportation had no plans to reinspect the Tappan Zee Bridge in the wake of the Minneapolis I-35 Bridge Collapse Wednesday.

The spokesman said work on the outer right two lanes of the Tappan Zee Bridge in both directions would begin at the end of August and would include replacement of steel members that the new deck would rest on. He added that as more information on what caused the I-35 bridge to fail becomes known, all bridges in the state of similar construction and materials would be inspected for the defects as they are defined. Here is WPCNR's interview with Ramesh Mehta, speaking for the Department of Transportation:

The Tappan Zee Bridge.

WPCNR conducted an interview with Ramesh Mehte spokesman for the New York Department of Transportation late Thursday afternoon. Here is how it went:

WPCNR: Your’e redecking it..you started that in the spring.

Mr. Mehte: Actually what we have been doing so far is the prefabrication of the material, the steel and the concrete. At the site we will be starting the work at the end of this month. The steel is fabricated and they attach the concrete deck to the steel.

WPCNR: So the redecking includes replacing some of the steel support (of the deck)?

Mr. Mehte: Some of the components of the steel will be replaced, yes.

WPCNR: When is it estimated the redecking will be complete?

Mr. Mehte: The end of next year (December, 2008)

WPCNR – How much life will this deck give the present bridge?

Mr. Mehte: The new decking wherever we are replacing it should give 40 to 50 years (life to the bridge).

WPCNR: How are the DOT engineers reacting to the Minneapolis Bridge Collapse – are they thinking of reinspecting the Tappan Zee Bridge again throgoughly just to make sure in a more intensive manner? What is their reaction to that?

Mr. Mehte: We still don’t know what was the mode of failure of that bridge in Minnesota. We do not know exactly how it happened…the type of members, the type of connections. Once we get that detail, if we have similar bridges in New York State or this region we will go and inspect them again. We are trying to find out more information what materials it was which actually prompted the failure of that bridge.

It was a steel arch bridge, I do not know exactly. The TZB is a completely riveted structure. I do not know if the Minnesota Bridge was a riveted structure or a vended structure. Vended structures can have their own sets of problems. So we are still trying to get the details. We are trying to say what was the reason that it failed then we will identify all the bridges in New York State. We’ll all be working together to see what type of additional inspection we should be doing so we do not compromise the structures.

WPCNR: The Tappan Zee Bridge Deck replacement, it is a partial replacement?

Mr. Mehte: Yes, it is only the right two lanes in each direction. Some of the bridge deck we have already replaced in the past.

WPCNR: Is it fair to say the Tappan Zee Bridge is going to remain there regardless of what replacement is deemed necessary?

Mr. Mehte:  Yes, but the decision of replacement, whether we have to retain this bridge, or we have to have a major rehab of the bridge, that will come at the end of 2008. In meantime, whatever is necessary to keep the bridge going. If we have to replace the bridge we will replace the bridge if that is the decision. In the meantime we have to continue to invest money in this bridge to make sure the bridge is to remain safe for the passage of the people.

WPCNR: At this point there’s no plan to immediately go over the Tappan Zee Bridge with a fine tooth comb, so to speak?

Mr. Mehte: Correct. That’s right.

WPCNR: When was the Tappan Zee Bridge last inspected?

Mr. Mehte:  It was  inspected last year from May to November 2006.

WPCNR: Was that when you decided to replace the deck (the upcoming rehab)?

Mr. Mehte: No,  we knew those items which require the rehab work. This project of $147 Million was let in December of 2005, and we awarded the contract to the contractor in August 1, 2006. We had already initiated that project. It takes some time to design the whole thing, the lead fitting, and awarding the contracts. Some of the deficiencies observed during the 2006 inspection we knew it and it was already covered in this contract. When we get some more details (on the Minnesota bridge) in the next few days, we will make plans to go and do the inspection.

WPCNR: The work being done now includes some steel members?

Mr. Mehta: Some steel members and the top deck which is the riding surface.

WPCNR: The underpinnings of the bridge, the uprights, no work is being done?

Mr. Mehta: Very little work. Only isolated members. Otherwise it is in good condition.