Bridge Gets a Second Look
Michael Watson has been inspecting bridges for 20 years. He knows what he's looking for when it comes to bridge safety.
"We're looking it over basically from head to toe," he said.
The Glasgow Bridge in Howard County is showing signs of wear and tear, but Watson and his crew just want to make sure it's still safe for drivers. It's the type of bridge structure uses steel beams that can rust and weaken.
"This span here also has the deck truss span like the bridge in Minneapolis had," said bridge inspector Terry Wilson.
The bridge was built in 1922, and with more than 80 years of weather and traffic, inspectors say a little rust shouldn't raise concern.
A big deal, however, would be a large crack or rust build up. Wednesday's inspection didn't show anything new since the last check-up.
Wilson says Glasgow commuters have a new attitude about the inconvenience of the inspection.
"It just seems like since the tragedy in Minnesota, people now, they're kinda relieved. They're giving us the thumbs up that we're here," he said.
Jeff Enyard uses the bridge twice a day, in the morning and on the way home. He doesn't mind the slow-down.
"Better safe than sorry, you know," he said.
Watson says that he and his crew will spend the day chipping away to make sure drivers like Enyard can get across safely.
"I want to make another move; we'll go over to another location 'cause I've got this move inspected," he said.
The last inspection found a need to replace all the steel beams on the bridge, but the concrete is still good. MoDOT plans to start the repair project in September once the plan is approved.