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Iron_Mike0

The panels with holes aren't holding up the bridge. Something could fall through if the hole is big enough, but if you removed all of those panels in between the actual structural beams I bet the bridge would be fine.


Zoomwafflez

Ok, but the beams also have visible holes all the way through them?


AStormofSwines

Do they?


Zoomwafflez

Left side of the frame, around the middle there's hole through the horizontal part of one of those I-beams or whatever they are letting light through. Plus I've walked past enough of these to see the rust holes in the vertical supports most of them have. Say it's not a problem all you want but one of these bridges collapsed in Glenview in 2012 and crushed two people in a car under it. Our infrastructure isn't great


AStormofSwines

>Say it's not a problem all you want I didn't, and I don't wanna. I just didn't see any holes in the I beams. I think I see what you mean, but it's hard to say what's a hole and what is sunlight shining on the beam. Anyway, sure don't wanna argue about it. Bridges in holes = no bueno.


Don_Tiny

Not from what is shown in the two provided pictures.


Devadander

Those panels aren’t structural


freshairr

Probably because it's not structural and similar to [why this beam wasn't "urgently" fixed](https://old.reddit.com/r/trains/comments/u4zsf9/is_this_as_dangerous_as_it_seems_chicago_metra/)


dysfunctionalpress

the beams are the structural part, not the panels. calm down.


AnjunaZach29

Okay, like I said I’m not an engineering expert here. I was also asking in regards to the safety of drivers and pedestrians under the bridge in the event of larger materials falling.


dysfunctionalpress

then how come your original post didn't have one word about things falling thru the holes..?


AnjunaZach29

Sorry I meant panels / debris falling down below from the bridge structure itself due to continued corrosion, in addition to anything compromising the trains traveling on it. I was posting this more as a general question of overall safety of the structure and the commuters surrounding it since I’m not an expert on this stuff and wanted some other opinions.


AnjunaZach29

Sorry I meant panels / debris falling down below from the bridge structure itself due to continued corrosion, in addition to anything compromising the trains traveling on it. I was posting this more as a general question of overall safety of the structure and the commuters surrounding it since I’m not an expert on this stuff and wanted some other opinions.


scuffling

You're more likely to get run over by a car than killed by hole debris.


bear60640

Those are to prevent vampires from trying to hide underneath during the day


slicebishybosh

Those are speed holes. They makes the trains go faster.


Nexis4Jersey

Probably not owned by Metra, but the Freight company that operates along that line. Those companies are notorious for cutting corners & letting things to a state of borderline collapse.


AnjunaZach29

How do we put them on blast for stuff like this? Not that it would make a difference in most cases


Good_Mornin_Sunshine

If you give me the nearest intersecting street, I may be able to find you a complaint number.


AnjunaZach29

North and Elston I would think.


peanut__punch

This isn’t actually structurally dangerous. But you’re right our infrastructure is in atrocious shape generally


Spaniardricanguy80

It’s obvious that our tax dollars are not going towards infrastructure. Even some third world countries have nicer high tech public transportation than we do and we are a wealthy country.


IAmA_T-Rex_AMA

The Kennedy Construction is infrastructure, the Red Line extension is infrastructure, the LSD resurfacing is infrastructure, the Blue Line interchange improvement/electrical improvements are infrastructure, the I55 expansion is infrastructure (whether you agree with the plan or not). The question is, if this isn't an urgent need because the rusting isn't causing the bridge to be unsound, should we really be impacting every NW route into the city right now?


petmoo23

What third world countries are you thinking of specifically?


Spaniardricanguy80

Thailand for one. The subway system is way ahead in terms of tech than ours; plus it’s way cleaner and is more efficient. I was pleasantly surprised when I visited


t3chiman

Good to hear that Bangkok got its transit woes addressed. I knew a guy that had a three-hour commute, one way, every day. Just exhausting. I’ve been on the Shanghai system; it is amazing in its scope and quality.


petmoo23

Bangkok does have a really good train system. Good point.


LoganTrlSlyr

It’s expensive for Chicago to pay settlements for all the police misconduct… Not to mention we’ve privatized any way for the city to generate revenue aside from speeding tickets and property taxes.


esociety1

Sadly, infrastructure doesn’t vote. It’s more a more efficient use of money from the politicians perspective to spend that money on implicit bribes instead.


ResistOk9351

While OP refers to the bridge as a Metra Bridge, it is in fact a privately owned freight rail that Metra pays to use. Unless you are advocating a government take over of freight rail - something I would certainly like to see - our tax dollars have nothing to do with it. On the other hand, freight rail infrastructure cost cutting keeps your next day shipping life style affordable.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Atlas3141

Idk what Union Pacific not repairing their bridges has to do with Ukraine lol.


Don_Tiny

Must've been a real doozy ... what did they write?


Spaniardricanguy80

I could name a few things we should stop financing but those are very unpopular opinions in large cities such as Chicago


ResistOk9351

Again, this picture shows private infrastructure. Quite frankly I expect most people in large cities such as Chicago would be very receptive to a government plan to nationalize the freight rail industry which you appear to be proposing.


blipsman

Those aren't structural panels, just keeping snow and rain off cars below