Wednesday, March 27, 2024

1954 Lopez Dam on Arroyo Grande Creek near Arroyo Grande, CA

(Satellite)

Mar 27, 2024, at 5am the water started spilling for the first time in 25 years. Just last December, the lake was down to 22% of capacity.
3:29 video @ 0:30

@ 1:52

Street View, Feb 2008

An inspection of the spillway was ordered in 2017. Hopefully, any probems that were found have been fixed. [CalCoastNews]

I have not been able to find a good overview photo of the dam and its spillway. So I'll go with a satelite image.
Google Earth, Jan 2023

I hope the USACE maintins the dam better than they do their website. The "Dam & Reservoir Data" link on their Lopez webpage returns an error. The dam was built in 1955.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

1977-2024 I-695 Lost Francis Scott Key Bridge over Patapsco River at Baltimore, MD

(Archived Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

A ship alliding with this bridge and causing a catastrophic failure has upped my priority on documenting it. The bridge WAS 1.6miles (2.6km) long. Bridge Hunter calls it an arch bridge. But I agree with another source that calls it a continuous truss. The main span was 1,200' long (366m). It was the third longest main span of a continuous truss bridge in the world. [7:21 video @ 1:16]

6:39 video @ 5:24

@ 5:28

Jeremy Smith via BridgeHunter, License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike (CC BY-SA)

Rescuers pulled out two survivors, one in a “very serious condition” and the other uninjured, and were searching for more in the Patapsco River after huge spans of the 2.6km Francis Scott Key Bridge crumpled into the water. Eight people were on the bridge at the time of the collision and six remain unaccounted for, said Maryland’s transportation secretary....“The vessel notified Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of the vessel and a collision with the bridge was possible,” the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency was quoted saying. “The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse.”...The US Coast Guard reported the collapse at 1.27am [Mar 26, 2024]....Work crews had been on the bridge at the time of the collapse and sonar detected vehicles under the water, which was about 15m deep at that point, said Maryland Secretary of Transportation Paul Wiedefeld....The ship issued a Mayday call moments before the collision, a move which saved lives as officials halted some road traffic, he said....The port handles the most car imports and is among the largest for coal exports....It is one of three ways to cross the Baltimore Harbor, with a traffic volume of 31,000 cars per day....More than 40 ships remained inside Baltimore port, including small cargo ships, tugboats and pleasure craft, data from ship-tracking and maritime analytics provider MarineTraffic showed. At least 30 other ships had signaled that their destination was Baltimore, the data showed.
Bridges Now and Then posted
A sad day in Baltimore, hoping for the best for the 6 missing bridge workers. Could have been much worse, fortunately they stopped vehicle traffic in time.
"In an aerial view, the cargo ship Dali sits in the water after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday." (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Some drone views of the carnage.
2:55 video @ 1:24

In addition to stopping all traffic on I-695 for a long time, this also stops all shipping traffic. Trucks carrying hazardous material used this bridge because they are not allowed to use the tunnels that cross the harbor. I noted above that 40 ships are trapped in the harbor and 30 ships were headed to this port. I wonder how quickly they can yank the trusses out of a channel.


Monday, March 25, 2024

Bridges over Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville, PA

1929,1988 Veterans Memorial: (Bridge Hunter broke Mar 22, 2023; Historic Bridges; HAERSatellite)
Abandoned Piers: (Satellite)
1972 Wrights Ferry: (Satellite)

HAER PA,36-COL,1--14 (CT)
3/4 VIEW FROM SOUTHWEST. - Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge, Spanning Susquehanna River at Lincoln Highway (State Route 462), Columbia, Lancaster County, PA

Significance: When it was dedicated on Armistice Day, 1930, the ColumbiaWrightsville Bridge was the longest multiple-arch concrete bridge in the world. Twenty-eight three-ribbed open-spandrel reinforced concrete arches, each spanning 185'-0", carry the bridge across the Susquehanna between Lancaster and York counties. Another twenty spans make up the bridge's 6657'-0" total length. The span's construction was innovative because it involved the cooperative effort oftwo counties. Four bridges preceded this span at this historically important river crossing. The ColumbiaWrightsville Bridge was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1984, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Historian: Blythe Semmer, August 1997.
[HAER_data, p2]
"The Columbia- Wrightsville Bridge is nothing less than one of the most historically significant concrete bridges in the United States. The bridge was the longest multi-span concrete arch bridge in the world when built, and even today it at the very least remains among the longest examples. In addition to its jaw-dropping 28 arch spans each spanning an impressive 185 feet, an additional 20 approach spans (mostly curved t-beams) complete the bridge which is over a mile long in total length. Also, with a 48 foot wide out-to-out deck width containing a 38 foot roadway, this is also a fairly wide bridge for its age as well. The length of the bridge coupled with its width results in a bridge with a footprint of about eight acres!" [HistoricBridges] This is one of the few bridges that Nathan Holth ranks 10/10 for both National and Local significance.

Metrotrails posted two images with the comment:
Metrotrails Then and Now Series: Historic postcard image of the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge of the Pennsylvania Railroad, compared to the same scene on our 2022 hike.
The first bridge to cross here was a covered bridge completed in 1817, just downstream from the current bridge. The 5,690 ft bridge amazingly had 54 piers. This was destroyed by high water and ice in 1832.
The second bridge was completed in 1834 just upstream from the current one, and utilized only 27 piers. It was fitted with 2 towpaths for mule traffic towing canal boats, to accommodate traffic between the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal on the west side and Pennsylvania Canal on the east.
 After 1856, it also became a railroad bridge. Because of the fear of fire, trains were towed across the bridge by horses rather than locomotive.
The second bridge was burned by Union forces during the Civil War to thwart Confederate advances, and the bridge company was never reimbursed for damages. All interests in the bridge were sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1864.
The third bridge was also a covered structure, built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1868. It carried the railroad, carriageway, and walkways. This bridge was destroyed in 1896 as a result of the Cedar Keys Hurricane. 
This, the 4th bridge to cross the river at this site, also on the same piers, was completed in 1897. It was of steel construction, and also carried railroad, carriages, walkways, and eventually automobiles. It was also planned to have a second level that was never completed. 
The opening of the Lincoln Highway in 1925 caused major traffic issues, and so the current bridge (Veterans Memorial Bridge after 1980), was opened in 1930. It too has a great pedestrian walkways.
The steel bridge carried passenger trains until 1954, and freight until 1958. The bridge was dismantled in 1963 and 64.
The current bridge carried US Rt 30 until the opening of the Wright's Ferry Bridge just upstream in 1972.
Michael J Salem: The second bridge was burned by Pennsylvania militia--not U.S. forces--in June of 1863, just before the Battle of Gettysburg. Lt Gen Richard Ewell (CSA 2nd Corps) had advanced opposite Harrisburg on the West Shore, preparatory to a planned crossing of the river and attack on the city. Ewell ordered Maj Gen Jubal Early (CSA) to proceed to Wrightsville and burn the second bridge. As Early moved through the countryside, he noted the lack of defensive forces, and without informing Ewell, determined to cross the second bridge--rather than burn it--and advance on Lancaster. Early intended to forage in the countryside and exact a tribute of money and materiel from Lancaster, as Ewell had just done at York and Gettysburg. Before Early could cross the bridge, the Pa. militia burned the bridge, thus preventing Early's planned depredations on the East Shore and of Lancaster. This action saved the East Shore farmers and communities from rebel plundering and deprived Early's division of sorely needed food, clothing, and gunpowder. Both Ewell and Early were then recalled to Gettysburg when Lt Gen A.P. Hill (CSA 3rd Corps) encountered United States cavalry under Maj Gen John Buford (USA Cavalry Corps, 1st Div.) on July 1. The great battle then ensured.
M'ke Helbing shared
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Sue E. Maxwell commented on the above post
My ancestors owned the lumber yard that provided the lumber for the bridge that was burned.
From our "collection" of family history photos.
Ken R Max: The Beidler Lumber mill was at the base of the bridge and also destroyed when the bridge was burned to stop Colonel John B. Gordon from advancing towards Philly whom was sent to the bridge by General Lee. Thus causing the battle at Gettysburg. Most don't realize how significant the burning of the bridge was. The bridge company and Beidler were never compensated for the losses. Beidler is Sue E. Maxwell direct ancestors and where her great gandfather was born.

The other side had the towpath.
Dedication, p30 via BridgeHunter

The 1897 steel truss and the 1929 concrete arch bridges coexisted until 1963-64.
Dedication, p28 via BridgeHunter

Bridges Now and Then posted
"The Columbia–Wrightsville Bridge, officially called the Veterans Memorial Bridge, spans the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, and carries Pennsylvania Route 462. Built originally as the Lancaster-York Intercounty Bridge, construction began in 1929, and the bridge opened on September 30, 1930. On November 11, 1980, it was officially dedicated as Veterans Memorial Bridge, though it is still referenced locally as the Columbia–Wrightsville Bridge." (Uncharted Lancaster)

Cedar Keys Hurricane vs. a covered wood bridge.
Dedication, p34 via BridgeHunter

Note the steel truss bridge peaking through the first arch.
Dedication, p42 via BridgeHunter

This confirms that the steel falsework was moved from one arch to another as the construction of the bridge progressed.
Dedication, p43 via BridgeHunter

Dedication, p44 via BridgeHunter

Another view of the steel truss bridge.
Dedication, p45 via BridgeHunter

Dedication, p46 via BridgeHunter

Dedication, p47 via BridgeHunter


Sunday, March 24, 2024

1885 Viaduct near Sherman, WY

(South Satellite and North Satellite)

Canvas Art posted
Dale Creek Bridge, an iron bridge in Sherman, Wyoming, USA. A dangerous crossing that required trains to slow down to 4 mph. 1885.

The oldest topo map that I could find was 1948, so I don't know the location of the route that had the trestle. Obviously, the route has changed since 1885. Today's route agrees with the one in the 1948 topo map. Both big crossings near Sherman today use embankments and they are curved. I wonder how big the culvert is in the base of those embankments.
South Satellite

North Satellite

MWRD: Calumet Pumping Station

(3D Satellite)

MWRD posted
An interior view of the Calumet Pumping Station at 125th and Indiana Avenue in Chicago on February 9, 1921. The station was built between 1918 and 1921, and went into service in 1922. 

Dennis DeBruler commented on MWRD post
This building? Does it have just the two pumps? And does it still have those old motors?
 https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6668661,-87.6193444,96a,35y,90h,39.46t/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu
Christopher Las: Dennis DeBruler six pumps n yes they are still being used.

Street View, Jul 2022

Since they didn't specify a plant, I'm going to "park" the photo here.
MWRD posted
Dennis DeBruler: Which plant has this pump?


IR/BNSF/BN/CB&Q Bridge over Fox River at Montgomery, IL

(Satellite)

Judging from the skinny piers placed between the middle pier and the shores, this bridge used to have two truss spans.
Street View, Sep 2021

Marty Bernard shared a Flickr link
CB&Q 4960 taking a fan trip across the Fox River Bridge at Montgomery, IL on June 20, 1965. Please look at it full screen.
Robert Chawgo: Beautiful....and the C&S auxiliary water tender.
Marty Bernard posted
CB&Q 4960 Crossing the Fox River at Montgomery, IL
The fantrip was on June 20, 1965.
Marty Bernard shared
Allen Hartman: Is that an extra water tender ?
Jason R Maxwell: Allen Hartman, yes

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Drydocking the Battleship NEW JERSEY

(Satellite, 20,360)

I've been following the Battleship New Jersey YouTube channel for a few years. On Mar 21, 2024, they left their museum dock in Camden, NJ, for the first time in 20 years for a 2-month drydocking process. It has been 32 years since it was drydocked, and this drydocking is expected to last another 30 years. I plan to add to these notes as the drydocking continues. They are offering drydock tours of her during Apr and May on the weekends.

This is the channel's live feed of the battleship leaving its dock. I don't know how long they had a bad signal because I skipped the ceremony. Note that soon after they shoved away from the dock, they turned the ship around.
1:32:55 video @ 1:21:17

Note the propwash coming from underneath the pilothouse on the lead tugboat. I presume that it has a Voith Schneider "Propeller" (VSP) rather than a standard screw propeller. Or maybe it is a bow mounted Z-drive.
1:32:55 video @ 1:18:04

McAllister Towing posted three photos with the comment:
What a historic day on the Delaware River! The tugs Beverly R. McAllister, McAllister Responder, Reid McAllister and Robert E. McAllister had the awesome responsibility of moving the battleship, USS New Jersey. It is the first time the New Jersey has moved in over 20 years. The famous floating museum is going to drydock to undergo maintenance and refurbishment.
The tugs, with over 14,000 hp combined, transited the ship from her longtime home in Camden, NJ south down the Delaware. On the route she passed under the renowned Walt Whitman Bridge before docking at Paulsboro terminal. Many American flags were seen flying along the route, saluting the most decorated battleship in US history as she sailed past.
Congratulations to McAllister Towing of Philadelphia, docking pilot Captain Joseph E. Benton III and the captains and crews of the tugboats in executing this momentous operation safely and securely.  Bravo to you all!
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Dana Russikoff provided a 0:11 video of the turning of the ship as a comment on the McAllister Towing post

Bryan Kohler commented on the McAllister Towing post

The white water between the port tug and the ship is prop wash. 
Donald Stockman commented on the McAllister Towing post
It was great seeing it in person.

Benjamin Kranefeld commented on the McAllister Towing post
You guys did an awesome job getting her down the river! I was in Gloucester City watching her pass by.

Nick Ariemma commented on the McAllister Towing post

Jim Bastan commented on the McAllister Towing post

Benjamin Kranefeld posted five photos with the comment:
The Battleship New Jersey was moved today from her berth in Camden for the first time in over 20 years. She was taken south along the Delaware River by tug boat to a port in Paulsboro. There, she will be filled with water to properly adjust the ballast (level) of the ship before she enters drydock in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Maintenance will be performed and fresh paint applied while in Philadelphia. 
I was fortunate enough to catch a portion of the move that took place this morning. My photos were taken from Gloucester City, in the vicinity of the Walt Whitman Bridge.
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[I noticed that there is a power plant in the background over her bow. I knew about the Richmond Generating Station, but I found that this one is the Southwark Generating Station.]

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In preparation for the move, they had rented a crane to remove structures such as antennae from the top of their mast. 
Paulina Sawicki commented on Benjamin's post
Beautiful sight to see! I swear Facebook destroys the quality though.

Bridges Now and Then posted
"People gather in Gloucester City, N.J., to view the USS New Jersey pass beneath the Walt Whitman Bridge, Thursday, March 21, 2024. The retired battleship is initially headed to the Paulsboro Marine Terminal, where it will be balanced to prepare for dry docking, and will then go to the Philadelphia Navy Yard." (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
 
John Brady commented on the above post

A timelapse video of the departure that started in the morning. I snapshotted it while they were dropping the final mooring lines.
0:34 timelapse video @ 0:27

Ryan Szimanski posted
We took a lot of photos and videos today, I mean did you see the 4 hour livestream? But here's a quick preview of one of the cameras that was up at the top of the ship as we went under the bridge.
Brent Woodman: I noticed vehicular traffic was stopped on the bridge as she passed underneath. Was this cautionary in case of a bridge strike, or to keep drivers from being distracted as she sailed by? It was a beautiful site. I watched the entire livestream from Georgia.
Michael Summers: Brent Woodman, the bridge is built to flex. Keeping vehicles off of it would maximize the clearance between the ship and the underside of the bridge.
Dan Sarandrea: Several volleys from each of the port and starboard saluting guns to commemorate the day's events. Three at departure, one return salute to Olympia, one return salute to Ft. Mifflin, and IIRC one salute passing the Navy Yard. NO volleys from the 5"/38s due to the proximity of the tugboats.
Clark Perks: Why did the trip happen at high tide?
Were you TRYING to get close to the bridge?!
Duane McDonald: Clark Perks they were TRYING to get less close to the bottom of the river. That's a very big ship for that river.
[The comments contain several fan photos.]
Bridges Now and Then shared
The top camera on USS New Jersey caught the passage under the Walt Whitman Bridge yesterday. Awesome!

Joey Contino commented on Ryan's post
My favorite from the day!
I have a bunch of drone footage from today. https://youtu.be/a97USA8Jru4

A recap of the trip from the museum dock. It includes some timelapse video from ship of the move. But it also has some of the prep work such as this crane removing the mast and radar antenae so that they could fit under the bridge. The clearance of the bridge goes from 150' to 145' when there are cars on it.
11:17 video @ 1:55