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What bridge closure would cause the most chaos/disruption?

Started by Roadgeekteen, May 14, 2021, 10:37:27 PM

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Flint1979

I'll have to agree with the Mackinac Bridge. I have been on the U.P. side when the bridge closed before and had to spend the night in St Ignace.


Roadgeekteen

Another one I thought about would be either of the two Cape Cod Canal bridges during the summer.
God-emperor of Alanland, king of all the goats and goat-like creatures

Current Interstate map I am making:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1PEDVyNb1skhnkPkgXi8JMaaudM2zI-Y&ll=29.05778059819179%2C-82.48856825&z=5

1995hoo

Quote from: dlsterner on May 15, 2021, 12:16:53 AM
At least for the MD/DC/VA area, I would think that the Woodrow Wilson Bridge would be at or near the top of the list.  (For the non-locals, the I-95/495 bridge across the Potomac).

It was hideous here in 1998 the day the bridge was closed because some idiot was threatening to jump off. Backups of over 20 miles on the highway and gridlock on the surface streets after the authorities blocked the entrance ramps to prevent the highway from getting any worse.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
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commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

SectorZ

If we can get non-fictional for a second, anyone living around Boston wouldn't expect that the Long Island Bridge from Quincy to Boston's Long Island would be the crapstorm it is, and it has nothing to do with traffic.

Rothman

Quote from: 1995hoo on May 15, 2021, 03:57:18 PM
Quote from: dlsterner on May 15, 2021, 12:16:53 AM
At least for the MD/DC/VA area, I would think that the Woodrow Wilson Bridge would be at or near the top of the list.  (For the non-locals, the I-95/495 bridge across the Potomac).

It was hideous here in 1998 the day the bridge was closed because some idiot was threatening to jump off. Backups of over 20 miles on the highway and gridlock on the surface streets after the authorities blocked the entrance ramps to prevent the highway from getting any worse.
Hey, I was also in the area for that.  That was a day to remember.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

BridgesToIdealism

Quote from: Rothman on May 15, 2021, 04:02:46 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 15, 2021, 03:57:18 PM
Quote from: dlsterner on May 15, 2021, 12:16:53 AM
At least for the MD/DC/VA area, I would think that the Woodrow Wilson Bridge would be at or near the top of the list.  (For the non-locals, the I-95/495 bridge across the Potomac).

It was hideous here in 1998 the day the bridge was closed because some idiot was threatening to jump off. Backups of over 20 miles on the highway and gridlock on the surface streets after the authorities blocked the entrance ramps to prevent the highway from getting any worse.
Hey, I was also in the area for that.  That was a day to remember.

Similar thing happened with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (US 50), I think last summer. Somebody I believe on three separate occasions climbed one of the suspension towers of the westbound bridge and refused to come down. On one occasion they held up the bridge for over 12 hours.
Matthew Wong; University of Indianapolis Class of 2024

bing101

Any Bridge in New York City area would be in similar situation.

MCRoads

Quote from: BridgesToIdealism on May 15, 2021, 07:56:46 PM
Quote from: Rothman on May 15, 2021, 04:02:46 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 15, 2021, 03:57:18 PM
Quote from: dlsterner on May 15, 2021, 12:16:53 AM
At least for the MD/DC/VA area, I would think that the Woodrow Wilson Bridge would be at or near the top of the list.  (For the non-locals, the I-95/495 bridge across the Potomac).

It was hideous here in 1998 the day the bridge was closed because some idiot was threatening to jump off. Backups of over 20 miles on the highway and gridlock on the surface streets after the authorities blocked the entrance ramps to prevent the highway from getting any worse.
Hey, I was also in the area for that.  That was a day to remember.

Similar thing happened with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (US 50), I think last summer. Somebody I believe on three separate occasions climbed one of the suspension towers of the westbound bridge and refused to come down. On one occasion they held up the bridge for over 12 hours.

Now that's persistence!

But, I would think that that may not have caused as much chaos as some others on this thread, considering that the eastbound span can be used as a 2-way bridge quite easily. So at least you wouldn't have to drive a super long way to avoid it, you would just have to deal with a delay.
I build roads on Minecraft. Like, really good roads.
Interstates traveled:
4/5/10*/11**/12**/15/25*/29*/35(E/W[TX])/40*/44**/49(LA**)/55*/64**/65/66*/70°/71*76(PA*,CO*)/78*°/80*/95°/99(PA**,NY**)

*/** indicates a terminus/termini being traveled
° Indicates a gap (I.E Breezwood, PA.)

more room plz

SkyPesos

I'm trying to think of a scenario in either St Louis or Cincinnati, but completely closing the PSB or Brent Spence doesn't seem as bad as the Memphis bridge, even though we experienced a complete Brent Spence closure a couple of months ago, as there's 3 alternative interstate bridges in each metro area.

Roadgeekteen

Quote from: MCRoads on May 15, 2021, 09:31:53 PM
Quote from: BridgesToIdealism on May 15, 2021, 07:56:46 PM
Quote from: Rothman on May 15, 2021, 04:02:46 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 15, 2021, 03:57:18 PM
Quote from: dlsterner on May 15, 2021, 12:16:53 AM
At least for the MD/DC/VA area, I would think that the Woodrow Wilson Bridge would be at or near the top of the list.  (For the non-locals, the I-95/495 bridge across the Potomac).

It was hideous here in 1998 the day the bridge was closed because some idiot was threatening to jump off. Backups of over 20 miles on the highway and gridlock on the surface streets after the authorities blocked the entrance ramps to prevent the highway from getting any worse.
Hey, I was also in the area for that.  That was a day to remember.

Similar thing happened with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (US 50), I think last summer. Somebody I believe on three separate occasions climbed one of the suspension towers of the westbound bridge and refused to come down. On one occasion they held up the bridge for over 12 hours.

Now that’s persistence!

But, I would think that that may not have caused as much chaos as some others on this thread, considering that the eastbound span can be used as a 2-way bridge quite easily. So at least you wouldn’t have to drive a super long way to avoid it, you would just have to deal with a delay.
If both spans closed it would be a disaster.
God-emperor of Alanland, king of all the goats and goat-like creatures

Current Interstate map I am making:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1PEDVyNb1skhnkPkgXi8JMaaudM2zI-Y&ll=29.05778059819179%2C-82.48856825&z=5

Flint1979


MCRoads

I build roads on Minecraft. Like, really good roads.
Interstates traveled:
4/5/10*/11**/12**/15/25*/29*/35(E/W[TX])/40*/44**/49(LA**)/55*/64**/65/66*/70°/71*76(PA*,CO*)/78*°/80*/95°/99(PA**,NY**)

*/** indicates a terminus/termini being traveled
° Indicates a gap (I.E Breezwood, PA.)

more room plz

Roadgeekteen

God-emperor of Alanland, king of all the goats and goat-like creatures

Current Interstate map I am making:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1PEDVyNb1skhnkPkgXi8JMaaudM2zI-Y&ll=29.05778059819179%2C-82.48856825&z=5

hotdogPi

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 16, 2021, 08:54:44 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on May 16, 2021, 05:48:20 PM
The one over the drainage ditch on US-50 in Nevada.
Why?

It's so lightly traveled that it would go unreported, and cars would be required to backtrack. You need to plan fuel trips and sometimes food trips accordingly, so drivers would get stuck backtracking, sometimes over 100 miles. While it doesn't affect a large number of drivers, it severely affects the ones who do go that way.
Clinched, minus I-93 (I'm missing a few miles and my file is incorrect)

Traveled, plus US 13, 44, and 50, and several state routes

I will be in Burlington VT for the eclipse.

Flint1979

Quote from: 1 on May 16, 2021, 09:27:28 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 16, 2021, 08:54:44 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on May 16, 2021, 05:48:20 PM
The one over the drainage ditch on US-50 in Nevada.
Why?

It's so lightly traveled that it would go unreported, and cars would be required to backtrack. You need to plan fuel trips and sometimes food trips accordingly, so drivers would get stuck backtracking, sometimes over 100 miles. While it doesn't affect a large number of drivers, it severely affects the ones who do go that way.
That would suck.

MCRoads

Quote from: Flint1979 on May 16, 2021, 09:33:32 PM
Quote from: 1 on May 16, 2021, 09:27:28 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 16, 2021, 08:54:44 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on May 16, 2021, 05:48:20 PM
The one over the drainage ditch on US-50 in Nevada.
Why?

It's so lightly traveled that it would go unreported, and cars would be required to backtrack. You need to plan fuel trips and sometimes food trips accordingly, so drivers would get stuck backtracking, sometimes over 100 miles. While it doesn't affect a large number of drivers, it severely affects the ones who do go that way.
That would suck.

Has this happened before?
I build roads on Minecraft. Like, really good roads.
Interstates traveled:
4/5/10*/11**/12**/15/25*/29*/35(E/W[TX])/40*/44**/49(LA**)/55*/64**/65/66*/70°/71*76(PA*,CO*)/78*°/80*/95°/99(PA**,NY**)

*/** indicates a terminus/termini being traveled
° Indicates a gap (I.E Breezwood, PA.)

more room plz

Revive 755

Probably any mainline bridge on I-80 between the I-294 interchange and IN 912, possibly eastward to I-65.

roadman65

Any bridge on US 1 south of Key Largo would trap anyone in the Keys south of whatever bridge.
Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe

Roadgeekteen

The closure of the Øresund Bridge would force travelers to get a Russian visa.
God-emperor of Alanland, king of all the goats and goat-like creatures

Current Interstate map I am making:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1PEDVyNb1skhnkPkgXi8JMaaudM2zI-Y&ll=29.05778059819179%2C-82.48856825&z=5

GaryV

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 16, 2021, 11:14:14 PM
The closure of the Øresund Bridge would force travelers to get a Russian visa.
There are ferries.

Roadgeekteen

Quote from: GaryV on May 17, 2021, 08:18:42 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 16, 2021, 11:14:14 PM
The closure of the Øresund Bridge would force travelers to get a Russian visa.
There are ferries.
Is there a car ferry?
God-emperor of Alanland, king of all the goats and goat-like creatures

Current Interstate map I am making:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1PEDVyNb1skhnkPkgXi8JMaaudM2zI-Y&ll=29.05778059819179%2C-82.48856825&z=5

Flint1979

Quote from: MCRoads on May 16, 2021, 09:58:30 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on May 16, 2021, 09:33:32 PM
Quote from: 1 on May 16, 2021, 09:27:28 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 16, 2021, 08:54:44 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on May 16, 2021, 05:48:20 PM
The one over the drainage ditch on US-50 in Nevada.
Why?

It's so lightly traveled that it would go unreported, and cars would be required to backtrack. You need to plan fuel trips and sometimes food trips accordingly, so drivers would get stuck backtracking, sometimes over 100 miles. While it doesn't affect a large number of drivers, it severely affects the ones who do go that way.
That would suck.

Has this happened before?
I doubt it I made the post to be sarcastic.

D-Dey65

Quote from: michravera on May 15, 2021, 02:36:05 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 14, 2021, 10:48:42 PM
Any of the Bay Area Bridges would be a disaster.
We had the Bay bridge closed for several weeks after the Loma Prieta earthquake. It wasn't fun, but, since the BART tube came through it OK, life wasn't impossible.
I remember worrying about BART during that quake, and I was amazed that it survived.  I suppose if the epicenter was in the San Francisco Bay, they wouldn't be so lucky.

kkt

Quote from: D-Dey65 on May 17, 2021, 08:34:00 AM
Quote from: michravera on May 15, 2021, 02:36:05 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 14, 2021, 10:48:42 PM
Any of the Bay Area Bridges would be a disaster.
We had the Bay bridge closed for several weeks after the Loma Prieta earthquake. It wasn't fun, but, since the BART tube came through it OK, life wasn't impossible.
I remember worrying about BART during that quake, and I was amazed that it survived.  I suppose if the epicenter was in the San Francisco Bay, they wouldn't be so lucky.

The bedrock moves as a unit, so buried structures usually do okay as long as there's not liquefaction.  Above-ground structures get shaken just from the foundation so it creates more stress on the sides and top of the structure.


jmacswimmer

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 15, 2021, 12:09:30 AM
I just thought of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. It would cause a traffic nightmare in Philly, although it would be a bit better now that I-95 has been completed.

This actually has happened once - The DMB was closed for about 6 hours on the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2018 (aka one of the busiest travel days of the year) courtesy of a chemical leak from a plant adjacent to I-295 on the DE side.

From what I remember looking at Google Traffic during the closure, the Commodore Barry Bridge was at a standstill both directions and the NJTP began forcing SB traffic off as far back as exit 4.  (And FWIW, the complete I-95 would have been open 2 months at that point.)

Link to a WashPoint article about it: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/delaware-bridge-shut-down-for-hours-sunday-in-traffic-nightmare/2018/11/26/42dde1ce-f149-11e8-aeea-b85fd44449f5_story.html

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 15, 2021, 10:03:12 PM
If both spans [of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge] closed it would be a disaster.

Also happened, this one just a few weeks ago - a police chase that went over the Bay Bridge and ultimately ended on Kent Island shut down both spans for several hours on a Saturday morning.  Would have been much worse if it happened on, say, a Friday or Sunday afternoon in July, but still caused several miles of completely stopped traffic on either side.

Article link: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/backup-on-chesapeake-bay-bridge-after-closure/2665574/
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"How would they compete?"
"Let's say they rode together in a big buss."
"Is Ditka driving?"
"Of course!"
"Then I like da Bear buss."
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