The Climate Change Bad News Keeps On Coming

[zqwerty]

A Quarter of America's Bridges May Collapse Within 26 Years. We Saw the Whole Thing Coming.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science...e-bridges/

[king1]

i read something similar about that maybe 5 years - they have known this for a long time now.

It will be like in a few years times when NZ finally realises 90% of their doctors are due to retire that year - just another preventable train wreck...

[Lilith7]

You really have to wonder if perhaps humans are this planet's stupidest species...

[zqwerty]

These systems of repairs and replacements should be automatic and built into local councils and not rely on the whims of whatever present government, what on earth have the people in charge been doing for the last 70 years or so to make these vital structures reliable for as long as they are needed?

Bridges surely need predictable maintenance, why hasn't it been established practice to ensure they are looked after over the years and not neglected as seems to be the case.

It seems like Banana Republic modus operandi to me.

[king1]

These systems of repairs and replacements should be automatic and built into local councils and not rely on the whims of whatever present government, what on earth have the people in charge been doing for the last 70 years or so to make these vital structures reliable for as long as they are needed?

Bridges surely need predictable maintenance, why hasn't it been established practice to ensure they are looked after over the years and not neglected as seems to be the case.

It seems like Banana Republic modus operandi to me.

pretty sure this one comes down to economic theory and policy... 

large infrastructure projects are generally only commenced and funded during economic doom and gloom ie troughs, recessions etc, because some clever economist back in the day figured out this was the best way for governments to get the country out of a trough or recession, by having a massive spend up to inject money into the economy...  

Similar to what labour did during covid, the wage subsidy wasn't just a handout for people to survive on, it was intended to keep businesses afloat and the economy moving.  Some might argue they overcooked it a bit...

apparently it makes good economic sense but it usually means that the large infrastructure spending does not happen unless there is economic doom and gloom.

Of course in the last 70 years or so there must have been a few economic downturns in the US to justify spending some money on infrastructure like bridges, maybe there was some other reason they didn't?  The odd war perhaps?

[harm_less]

Also relevant in New Zealand definitely and probably the US is the increase in truck weights and their travel speeds, both of which take their toll on roads (i.e. potholes and subgrade subsidence) and associated infrastructure such as bridges and lane barriers. Unfortunately a succession of politicians couldn't see beyond the immediate cashflow benefits of their policies.

[Olive]

Also relevant in New Zealand definitely and probably the US is the increase in truck weights and their travel speeds, both of which take their toll on roads (i.e. potholes and subgrade subsidence) and associated infrastructure such as bridges and lane barriers. Unfortunately a succession of politicians couldn't see beyond the immediate cashflow benefits of their policies.

Yes!   The transport industry lobbied successfully to increase permissible truck weights and the roading system will never recover.   We have to drive over the Kaimai range quite regularly and the number and size of trucks is horrifying given the limitations of the road.

[Lilith7]

Because it would just make sense to repair roads to a higher standard, set about making sure our rail system is upgraded/repaired where needed, lowering the weight allowance for trucks to a more reasonable one, & using the now upgraded rail system for transporting goods again.
It would cost money & it would make sense, & therefore no govt wants to do it...

[C_T_Russell]

Climate change, bridge collapses? Seems the fear mongering is using climate change as an excuse for everything.
How about the obvious that they are getting old and tired and due for replacement?

[king1]

I guess it's a climate change issue because some of the extreme weather events are contributing to the premature failure of the structures.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I had to smile at the news tonight with the kiwi scientist in Northern Greenland saying if that ice melts sea levels will rise seven metres...

As Paddy Gower pointed out, when the Antarctic Western Ice shelf goes, it'll rise by fifty metres.

And New Zealand will go back to being islands under a long white cloud. Then the structures won't really be a problem.

[C_T_Russell]

I guess it's a climate change issue because some of the extreme weather events are contributing to the premature failure of the structures.

Acid rain weakening concrete perhaps? Don't know if the ph of rain has lowered anything significant over the last century.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

It is more about the power of water, not acid rain. The flooding is Europe has some excellent examples of the damage a flooded river can do to bridge supports, if the local examples are not enough to be convincing.