I-35 bridge collapse at Salado Texas

As I was rereading the article I was posting I found it strange the owner didn't seem to have any idea about the height of the load yet claimed he had the proper permits. The whole story is strange.

 

Yea, this comment is the strange one.

 

I've worked for a lot of companies where the person speaking isn't the person who has the info. Sometimes the owner chimes in as the figure-head of the company in times of trouble, but many times aren't kept in the day-to-day loop.

 

i sorta figured that to be the case but I guess I was assuming he wouldn't open his mouth without having all the facts in a fatality accident involving one of his drivers

 

Sure but to maintain a level surface you need a level foundation, which makes we wonder just how off level the bridge beams were.

 

This has nothing to do with bridge beams. Its falsework. They can't build a new bridge on an interstate without a variance to build it under 16'0". They would have to have a VERY good reason to get a variance. Its rare.
I hit some falsework on I-10 in California a few years ago. I was 16'7" high with a permit for 16'9", hit the falsework, contractor said he forgot to contact Cal-trans about some catch fences they needed while removing concrete forms. The contractor said the catch fences were up (at about 16'4") for a week, nobody else hit it, well duh, how many loads between 16'4 and 16'10 are on that road in a week?
So before you go blaming TxDOT, the driver, company, or anyone else... Know this, there are always things that none of us are aware of.

 

I'd guess that boom to be at over 16' tall. Someone in the logistics chain booked the wrong trailer and the driver was too meek or ignorant to refuse to haul it.

How do you get a permit for something that can go on a proper trailer legally?

 

Usually by phone.

Generally speaking, having a load that becomes oversize due to being on a flat instead of a step isn't a big deal. Sure it adds a level of cost or complexity, but if the customer and/or carrier wants to bear the burden of cost and responsibility...

Likely several levels of inexperience at play here; shipper, dispatcher, driver, etc. The truth will come out in time.

 

No Permit was issued.

This accident will rest at the foot of the driver and to the owner of the truck company. http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2015/03/30/362523.htm
There was no permit issued and the load was 14'7" and the bridge was posted at 13'6". This what you call prison time.

 

The driver and truck company did not have a permit. Some one brought up in another thread that seeing how the boom could of been transported on a step and been legal they probably could not of got a permit. Either way they (the police) estimate the load at 14'7" and the bridge was posted at 13'6". This driver is going to see prison time due to a death as a result of the bridge collaspe. Click here to see the article.