Inspector blows holes in safety argument: CRC Scammers whine.

One of the many lies the CRC Scammers have depended on to date has been the safety of the bridge.  A state inspector blew so many holes in their argument today that it's sinking.  CRC Scammers are whining, but if this same guy had been foaming at the mouth about how "unsafe" the I-5 Bridge is, they'd be doing cartwheels.

That's just a part of the hypocrisy of a CRC Scammer.

State inspector: I-5 Bridge over Columbia could last a long time

Published: February 10, 2014, 1:56 PM

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  Absent a big earthquake or a catastrophic encounter with a too-tall truck or ship, the Interstate 5 bridge that now spans the Columbia River could stand almost indefinitely, a state inspector says. (Associated Press files)

PORTLAND (AP) — Absent a big earthquake or a catastrophic encounter with a too-tall truck or ship, the Interstate 5 bridge that now spans the Columbia River could stand almost indefinitely, a state inspector says.

It may need to.

If plans to replace the bridge don't advance by mid-March, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has promised to pull the plug on it — after more than 10 years and $190 million spent.
The project is in trouble. The Washington Legislature decided last year not to participate, and that has raised concern in the Oregon Legislature, particularly in the Senate, about an Oregon-only project projected to cost $2.8 billion.

A new bridge project could take a decade to get going.

In the meantime, Oregon's state bridge engineer, Bruce Johnson, said the current bridge will need repairs and, in 15 to 20 years, a $75 million paint job.

"If you're willing to do those kinds of fixes and you have a robust inspection system like we have, you could almost say the bridge will last indefinitely," Johnson told The Oregonian.

The Interstate 5 bridge linking Portland and Vancouver is two spans.

The first opened on Valentine's Day in 1917 and replaced a ferry. It now carries northbound traffic. A toll, initially 5 cents for motorists and people riding animals, ended in 1929.

Its twin opened in 1958, with an initial car toll of 20 cents, retired in 1966 when the bridge was paid off. It carries southbound traffic.

Marc Gross, a former Army engineer, heads the full-time bridge crew of 10. Supporting the crew costs more than $1 million a year, split equally between Oregon and Washington state. Routine subcontracted repairs and maintenance are budgeted for another $1 million annually.

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