NationStates Jolt Archive

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http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/TopStories/ContentPosting.aspx?feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V2&newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20060930%2foverpass_collapse_061001&showbyline=True

This is the third bridge failure in six years. One, that happened six years ago, also happened in Laval from a faulty beam during construction. The second a few years ago when a few wires snapped on one of the suspension bridges, though without a collapse.

And now, today.

An entire three-lane segment of a major overpass over Highway 19 completely collapsed. I'm not sure what bothers me more, the fact that the Quebec politicians aren't putting enough money to repair the bridges and maintain them, or the fact that apparently inspections were done, and the bridge declared to be safe, or the craziest fact that people called in falling debris from the bridge earlier in the day, and transportation workers picked up the debris, but didn't shut down the bridge!

I'm quite angry at this injustice. I live in Ontario, but I used to live in Pincourt, the other side of Montreal. What do you think?

Do you think it is?,bad workmanship, incompetent or lazy contractors?, or perhaps some of these failures were due to the use of cheap materials by shady sub-contractors? I was aware of only one other failure,i wonder if the same company was involved in the building of these jobs,might be a common denominator,you never know.

I've used that overpass many times, though I haven't been on that particular stretch since August. Most if not all the concrete overpasses look like they haven't been aging well - a number of these went up more than twenty-five years ago now, and it probably was only a matter of time before something like this happened. This is Olympic Games-era construction, a lot of which was hastily put up, and with no small amount of the usual active participation of organized crime, graft, etc.

Umm.... I don't drive....

I still think Quebec's pretty shexy... :D

You may think that Quebec's sexy, but a lot of their infanstructure is falling apart. What I'm most worried about is the antiquated elevated highway in downtown Montreal. Last time I checked, both the outside and insides were filled with cracks, the bridge was expanded two extra lanes without any serious modifications (so it has no shoulders now...crazy), and it's badly overloaded with traffic. I figure it's only a matter of time before that autoroute collapses, and I can guarantee that the casualties would be enormous in a situation like that. Especially if it goes down Domino style, and take down the entire damn thing! :eek:

EDIT - Take a look at this photo, courtesy of the Quebec transportation cameras. Look at the width of the highway. That, combined with overusage, massive amounts of salt during the winters, and neglect, and I think of it as a timebomb:

http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/images/information/cameras/montreal/cam/040010.jpg
P.S. Image updates every minute or two.

Are they still on about that Separatiste thing anymore?

You know...secedeing from the rest of Canada?

That's what happens when you hand out contracts to the mob.

Are they still on about that Separatiste thing anymore?

You know...secedeing from the rest of Canada?

from what I have been reading and hearing lately, yes. It seems that le Parti Quebecois will win the next provincial general elections. Personally, I sympathize with the french-speaking Quebecois in their quest to become a independent, french-speaking society. However, I just do not like the PQ, because they are capitalist and they have switched to a neo-liberal program, attacking unions and the like. I like Quebec Solidaire better, but their party platform is...too unsure at the moment.

Thats horrible. I'll remember not to add Quebec to my tour of Canada....

I think this might have to do with quebec's obsession with preserving the french language.

This somehow fails to surprise me; they always had very under-maintained roads; I remember being able to half-sleep from Ottawa to Quebec City and knowing where Ontario ended and Quebec started simply by how smooth the ride was. :p

This somehow fails to surprise me; they always had very under-maintained roads; I remember being able to half-sleep from Ottawa to Quebec City and knowing where Ontario ended and Quebec started simply by how smooth the ride was. :p

Yeah, I can relate. :p

I remember how if you're in Ontario, generally if you see a bump ahead sign, it will be followed by a small jolt at its worst. However, in Quebec if you see a bump ahead sign, "All hands brace for impact!", and check your insurance policy for devoured cars. :p