FIU Pedestrian Bridge Had Cracks Days Before Collapse

WASHINGTON, DC — Photographs released by the National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday show large cracks that had been documented in Florida International University's failed pedestrian bridge days before the massive structure came crashing down. The 174-foot-long main span killed six people, including a bridge worker when it collapsed on March 15. Eight others were injured in the tragedy.

In an investigative update released Thursday, the NTSB said that the series of photographs were taken after the main 950-ton main span of the bridge was lifted from its temporary supports, rotated 90 degrees across an eight-lane road and lowered into its permanent position in a matter of hours over busy SW 8th Street.

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Earlier photos released by the agency showed cracks before the bridge was moved into place. The structure was intended to improve safety for the thousands of students who cross into the campus from the city of Sweetwater each day.

"The update details the thorough examinations of the bridge’s construction materials and notes numerous tests conducted including multiple concrete compression core and steel sample tests," officials said. "The investigative update also includes an evaluation of a steel post-tensioning rod and the hydraulic jack used during the re-tensioning activity before the collapse."

A spokeswoman for FIU told Patch that the university is "cooperating and assisting authorities fully in an effort to understand what happened." But officials declined to comment on the report, saying that FIU is restricted in what information it can share publicly as a party to the NTSB investigation.

NTSB investigators have already interviewed employees from eight firms and organizations involved in the design, inspection and construction of the bridge.

"Bolton, Perez & Associates Consulting Engineers has been added as a party to the investigation," officials said. "All aspects of the collapse remain under investigation while the NTSB determines the probable cause, with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar events."

Photographs courtesy National Transportation Safety Board