Atlanta, GA

How the I-95 collapse compares to I-85 collapse in Atlanta six years ago

Published

1 year ago

June 13, 2023

How the I-95 collapse compares to I-85 collapse in Atlanta six years ago

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Engineers are busy creating a plan to get the collapsed portion of I-95 rebuilt as quickly as possible.

Giving people hope is a similar incident in Atlanta six years ago, when crews were able to make repairs in less than two months.

The fiery bridge collapse toppled a portion of I-85 in 2017, shutting the overpass down completely.

Investigators say a homeless man sparked the intense blaze after intentionally setting a chair on fire and subsequently igniting combustible materials stored under the highway.

Crews work on a section of an overpass that collapsed from a large fire on Interstate 85 in Atlanta, Friday, March 31, 2017.

(AP Photo/David Goldman)

Engineers say neither collapse was due to infrastructure issues, but a result of extreme heat.

“We design stuff to be reliable and this is odd and unreliable. It’s happened in the past. But if you consider bridge fires that happened, compare it to a home fire or building fire, there’s way, way, less of those,” said Andrew Bechtel, a civil engineering professor at The College of New Jersey.

SEE ALSO: Officials: Driver lost control of tanker before fire, I-95 collapse

Given the size of the I-95 collapse and damage, Professor Bechtel expects the repairs to take much longer than Atlanta.

“They have to remove everything that’s there. Look at what’s left — that’s months,” said Prof. Bechtel. “Every bridge is essentially custom made, brought to the site and constructed. And I-95 is a big road that carries heavy traffic.”

Crews have been working around the clock, inspecting and then demolishing the damaged stretch of road while engineers are designing its replacement.

Many drivers say avoiding the mess is impossible.

Crews work to remove the damaged overpass on the southbound lanes of I-95 on June 12, 2023.

“You don’t realize how much that cripples the city, you really really don’t,” said Ruth Acker of Bridesburg.

Officials say it could take months to repair both the northbound and southbound lanes that were damaged by the deadly tanker fire.

To speed up the process, Governor Josh Shapiro is asking the feds for more money.

“I think the clear message from us is that any federal resources that is necessary will be made available to ensure that this bridge get reopened as quickly as possible,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt.

SEE ALSO: Drexel University engineer explains possible cause of I-95 collapse in Philadelphia

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Atlanta, GA

Zoo Atlanta's newborn gorilla has died

Published

4 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

article

Infant gorilla born at Zoo Atlanta. (Credit: Josh Meyerchick)

ATLANTA – With heavy hearts, staff members at Zoo Atlanta announced the newest infant born to western lowland gorilla, Kambera, has died.

The baby girl was just five days old when she passed away.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of not just this special little individual, but by the loss of a newborn member of a critically endangered species. Like humans, newborn gorillas are very fragile, and the first few days of life are uncertain for any baby animal,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “If there is an encouraging takeaway from this sad moment, it is that we were so encouraged to see Kambera, who had not previously reared an infant, display all of the maternal inclinations we hoped to see. Our teams worked tirelessly and with outstanding commitment to help Kambera prepare for the birth and, following the birth, to ensure her and her infant’s wellbeing.”

It’s not clear yet what led to the infant’s death.

A necropsy, the animal equivalent of an autopsy, will be conducted soon, according to Zoo Atlanta.

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Atlanta, GA

Wrong-Way GA-400 Crash Kills Woman, Injures Man

Published

12 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

Wrong-Way GA-400 Crash Kills Woman, Injures Man

ATLANTA, GA — A wrong-way, head-on GA-400 crash killed a 24-year-old woman early Sunday morning, Atlanta Police said.

Police said the crash occurred around 5:15 a.m. on GA-400 North near Lenox Road.

A Kia Sorento and a Toyota Rav4 collided, killing the driver of the Sorento at the scene and injuring the 52-year-old male driver of the Rav4, police said. The man was taken to a local hospital, police said.