U-turn bridge collapse latest: Expressway section expected to reopen by noon today

[webfact]

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Siam Rath continued to report following the collapse of a section of a horseshoe shaped U-turn bridge that collapsed during maintenance on Sunday evening killing two and injuring several. 

 

The incident occurred at the bridge by the Vipharam Hospital on Rama 2, KM marker 34 in Samut Sakhon. 

 

Yesterday highways department chief Sorawuth Songsiwilai and many other officials were at the scene supervising work to remove the central part of the U-turn so that the road can reopen.

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

That was expected to be by 12 noon today.

 

A crane capable of lifting 200 tons was being deployed and started work at 9 pm last night.

 

Sorawuth said that a structural analysis would be undertaken as to whether the bridge could be repaired or should be scrapped altogether and a new one built. 

 

An investigation is underway into the incident. 

 

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Picture: Siam Rath

[Hamus Yaigh]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

or should be scrapped altogether and a new one built. 

My money is on a new one being built. There's more money in it. The Rama 2 road is a never ending construction site, I have never driven it in the past 30 years without some road works some where or other.

[Will B Good]

Nervy seven hour drive to Bangkok tomorrow........will be paying particular attention to all overhead concrete structures.......not that that will make any difference.

[Excel]

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

Nervy seven hour drive to Bangkok tomorrow........will be paying particular attention to all overhead concrete structures.......not that that will make any difference.

Seat belts and wear a hard hat whilst driving to be on the safe side ????

[Will B Good]

Just now, Excel said:

Seat belts and wear a hard hat whilst driving to be on the safe side ????

Might make the wife drive and hunker down on the backseat.

[stoner]

what would a thai story be without the classic finger pointing. 

 

 

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, stoner said:

what would a thai story be without the classic finger pointing. 

 

 

Is that the bit that's missing?

 

 

[lujanit]

This not the first time part of Rama 2 has collapsed.  It also happened several weeks ago.  The alternate route by passing Rama 2 was conjested last week when we came back from Hua Hin.

[VincentRJ]

Surely the main issue here is whether those who were injured, and died, as a result of the collapse, will be compensated by the government, and/or contractors, due to their incompetence regarding safety controls, and how much will that compensation be to the families of those who died.

[Deserted]

Well, I wouldn't go holding your breathe on that one. It was probably a fault of the traffic below for being there at that time. That's what they will angle towards or something like it. 

[PB172111]

Bridge collapses are very common worldwide. Scary fact but true.

32 bridge collapses since the year 2000 in the States alone.

Not to mention UK, Australia, Europe etc.

[sammieuk1]

I have always added looking up to my vision when driving here something is always airborne ????  

[Jaybott]

9 hours ago, Will B Good said:

will be paying particular attention to all overhead concrete structures

The headline in tomorrow's  Bangkok Post: "12 car pile up on Motorway caused by distracted driver, who witnesses claim was "looking up" and not paying attention to his driving".

[rwill]

Wait until there is a somewhat major earthquake in the Bangkok area.

 

When I am driving under the elevated freeways I see lots of the supports with cracks in them.  I know it is somewhat normal for concrete to crack but I still keep wondering if any of it is significant damage.

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

Sorawuth said that a structural analysis would be undertaken as to whether the bridge could be repaired or should be scrapped altogether and a new one built. 

Collapsed during maintenance.. one would assume it's time for real engineers to get involved.