How many people died at Point Pleasant bridge collapse?
46 people
POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The West Virginia Department of Transportation is remembering the lives of the 46 people who died when the Silver Bridge collapsed 53 years ago on Dec. 15, 1967. The bridge, that connected Point Pleasant, W.Va. to Gallipolis, OH, collapsed during rush hour traffic.
When did Point Pleasant bridge collapse?
December 15, 1967
December 15, 1967, was one of the darkest days in West Virginia history. Sadly, it was only the first of many tragic days that West Virginians would suffer. The Silver Bridge, which connected Point Pleasant with Gallipolis, Ohio, had opened to traffic in 1928.
Who were the victims of the Silver Bridge collapse?
Victims of the Silver Bridge Collapse Bennett, of Walnut Cove, North Carolina; Leo Blackman, of Richmond, Virginia; Kristye Boggs and Margaret Boggs of Vinton, Ohio; Hilda Byus and Kimberly Byus of Point Pleasant, West Virginia; Melvin Cantrell, of Gallipolis Ferry, West Virginia; Thomas A.
What is the Silver Bridge disaster?
On Dec. 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge connecting Point Pleasant to Gallipolis, Ohio, collapsed, submerging 75 vehicles and killing 46 people. This piece was left sticking out of the water near Gallipolis. Boats shine their searchlights on the remains of the Silver Bridge.
How long did the Silver Bridge stand for?
On December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge collapsed under the weight of rush-hour traffic, resulting in the deaths of 46 people….
| Silver Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Total length | 2,235 feet (681 m) |
| Longest span | 700 feet (210 m) |
| Piers in water | 2 |
| Design life | 39 years (until collapse) |
Is the Silver Bridge Open Grand Canyon?
The Silver Bridge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon will be closed to hikers Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The bridge crosses the Colorado River near Phantom Ranch. Otherwise, people on the way to Phantom Ranch will have to use a detour that adds about a mile to the Bright Angel Trail.
What bridge collapsed over the Ohio River?
the Silver Bridge
The bridge carried U.S. Route 35 over the Ohio River, connecting Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and Gallipolis, Ohio. On December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge collapsed under the weight of rush-hour traffic, resulting in the deaths of 46 people. Two of the victims were never found.
Has a bridge ever collapsed with cars on it?
During the evening rush-hour on August 1, 2007, the center span of an eight-lane, steel truss arch bridge—one that carried Interstate 35W over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota—suddenly collapsed. Commuters in 111 vehicles and 18 construction workers fell as much as 115 feet onto the river and its banks.
What caused the collapse of the Silver Bridge?
The bridge failure was due to a defect in a single link, eye-bar 330, on the north of the Ohio subsidiary chain, the first link below the top of the Ohio tower. A small crack was formed through fretting wear at the bearing, and grew through internal corrosion, a problem known as stress corrosion cracking.
How did they fix the Silver Bridge?
The American Bridge Company developed a new heat-treated carbon steel to use on the construction of the Silver Bridge. This new steel would allow the individual members of the bridge to handle more stress. Along with the two eye-bars sharing the load, the steel could easily handle the 4 « million pound load.
When did the Silver Bridge collapse in Ohio?
The Silver Bridge Disaster. December 15, 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the Silver Bridge collapse in 1967. The iconic 1760 foot long suspension bridge, built in 1928 on the Ohio River, connected Gallipolis, OH and Point Pleasant, WV.
When was the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant Ohio built?
December 15, 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the Silver Bridge collapse in 1967. The iconic 1760 foot long suspension bridge, built in 1928 on the Ohio River, connected Gallipolis, OH and Point Pleasant, WV. Its aluminum paint earned it the “Silver Bridge” moniker. The bridge was almost like family to the communities.
What was the cause of the bridge collapse?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a report on the bridge collapse on December 16,1970. The proximate cause of the bridge failure was the fracture of an eyebar link in the suspension chain. It was weakened by “stress corrosion and corrosion fatigue.”