Happy April 1st, Roderick.

On Mon, 1 Apr 2024 at 10:05, 'Roderick Smith' via TramsDownUnder < tramsdownunder@...> wrote:

> Roderick.

>

> With the world in bridgephobia, hasty preventative measures are being put

> in place to avoid a repetition of the Baltimore disaster. Large ships must

> now have tug assistance to pass under ,may bridges (eg Sydney Harbour,

> Brisbane Gateway); emergency traffic signals are being installed.

> Tasmania has already banned the Antarctica supply boat Nuyina from passing

> under Tasman Bridge: it has to go to Burnie to bunker. That followed the

> collapse of the first Tasman Bridge, and a more-recent sinking of two tugs

> by an out-of-control cargo ship.

> Perth and Adelaide are safe: lack of depth prevents large vessels from

> reaching their railway bridges.

> Victoria had encased bridge supports in concrete after the Granville

> disaster. It has now reduced speed limits over the Spencer St spans of

> Flinders St Viaduct (even lower than the existing low limit) and over

> Napier St, Footscray. Testing has revealed a design defect in all spans of

> the first elevated project: Caulfield - Dandenong. Pending the design of

> suitable rectification, a speed limit has been imposed over all spans which

> cross roads. A spokesperson stated: 'This will have timetable

> implications, but customer safety is our number one priority. We thank you

> for your patience and understanding'.

>

>

>