NTSB Cites City, PennDOT In Bridge Fail.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that the collapse of Pittsburgh's Fern Hollow Bridge in 2022 was caused by the City of Pittsburgh's failure to act on maintenance and repair recommendations over a period of more than a decade. The NTSB also cited poor quality inspections and insufficient oversight by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and other agencies as contributing factors. The collapse, which resulted in injuries, was traced back to significant corrosion and section loss in a transverse tie plate due to water and road salt runoff. The NTSB recommended updates to inspection guidance and training programs to address safety issues. Both the City of Pittsburgh and PennDOT have taken measures to address the deficiencies identified. [Extracted from the article]